In a remarkable turn of events, Kayla Unbehaun, a girl from Illinois whose disappearance was featured on Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries,” has been found alive in North Carolina, six years after she was allegedly abducted by her mother. Kayla, who recently turned 15, went missing at the age of 9 while under the care of her mother, Heather Unbehaun.
Authorities arrested Heather Unbehaun, 40, in Asheville, North Carolina, on a fugitive charge. She is expected to be extradited to Illinois to face legal proceedings. The breakthrough in the case came when a woman at Plato’s Closet in Asheville recognized Unbehaun from media coverage of the case and promptly contacted the authorities.
Kayla’s father, Ryan Iskerka, expressed overwhelming joy upon learning that his daughter had been found safe. In a statement released through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Iskerka thanked the South Elgin Police Department, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and all the law enforcement agencies involved in the case. He also requested privacy as they reconnect and embark on a new beginning together.
Kayla disappeared in July 2017, shortly after being seen with her mother following a Fourth of July parade in Wheaton, Illinois. Iskerka had been scheduled to meet Heather Unbehaun on July 5, 2017, to pick up their daughter as per a court order, but they never arrived. It was later discovered that Heather Unbehaun had packed her belongings on the roof of her car and embarked on a camping trip to an undisclosed location in Wisconsin. When neither Kayla nor her mother appeared, the police were notified, and a missing person’s report was filed.
The case gained national attention when it was featured on an episode of the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries” in November 2022, which focused on family abductions. The Kane County State’s Attorney’s office issued a kidnapping warrant for Heather Unbehaun following Kayla’s disappearance.
Kayla has now been placed in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Social Services, and arrangements are being made for her to be reunited with her family in Illinois. The circumstances surrounding her time away and the details of her discovery have not been publicly disclosed.
As the family begins the process of healing and rebuilding, Iskerka expressed that it has been an incredibly devastating experience for them all. The reunion with Kayla brings a mixture of relief and hope for a brighter future.
The discovery of Kayla Unbehaun, who was missing for six years, serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing efforts to locate missing children and reunite them with their families. The dedication of law enforcement agencies, the support of organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and the vigilance of the public all play crucial roles in bringing these cases to a resolution.
While the circumstances surrounding Kayla’s disappearance and her eventual discovery may still be shrouded in mystery, the primary focus now is on providing the support, care, and privacy that she and her family need during this emotional time.