National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, a child from Illinois who vanished six years ago has been discovered safe in North Carolina. At the time of her mother Heather Unbehaun’s alleged kidnapping in July 2017 from South Elgin, Illinois, some 45 miles northwest of Chicago, Kayla Unbehaun was 9 years old.
A picture of Kayla and a picture of her mother were displayed at the conclusion of an “Unsolved Mysteries” episode from 2022 on Netflix. A store owner in North Carolina who had seen the show reportedly identified the girl at a mall in Asheville and dialed 911, according to the television station Chicago.
Her mother was detained in Asheville on Saturday and charged with kidnapping, a felony, before being freed on bond, according to a news release from the South Elgin Police Department. Since being reunited with her family, the now 15-year-old has been said to be in good health and spirits. The division is also assisting the family in obtaining social services.
Kayla’s father expressed his feelings about being reunited with his daughter in a statement that was published on the Facebook page of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
“I’m overjoyed that Kayla is home safe. I want to thank the South Elgin Police Department, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and all of the law enforcement agencies who assisted with her case,” said her father, Ryan Iserka.
What happened the day Kayla went missing?
Back in 2017, during a court-ordered visitation in Wheaton, Illinois, the girl’s father went to pick her up from her mother’s house, but the two were not there. The Athens Banner-Herald reported at the time that her mother had loaded Kayla into her car and driven away. According to reports, they might have gone to the Athens, Georgia, region.
According to the publication, on July 29, 2017, her mother received a felony kidnapping warrant after police asked anyone who saw them or the car they were traveling in to contact the police.
The mother of the youngster had not been active on social media since the girl went missing, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. According to the Athens Banner-Herald, her mother had previously stated a wish to live off the grid and lead a carefree lifestyle. She had lately sold her car as well.
According to Kayla’s father, Heather brought their child to Athens without a visiting schedule. After several court appearances, a judge granted the girl’s father permission to visit her during school breaks in Illinois. But for medical reasons, her mother forbade it from happening.
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Home In January 2017, the girl’s father received full custody, and Kayla moved home with him, his wife, and their two kids. Weekly visits with the girl’s mother were permitted, which led to her kidnapping in July 2017, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
Authorities posted age-progressive pictures of the girl while she was still missing, including in 2020, and re-asked for the public’s assistance in finding her. Her father never stopped talking about her on Facebook, and in January 2021, he posted a birthday tribute to his daughter.
“I love you forever and I hope you’re safe, happy and I’m always looking forward to seeing you again someday,” he wrote at the time, sharing a baby photo of his missing daughter.
Daily Loud tweeted that the Missing girl Kayla Unbehaun featured on Netflix “Unsolved Mysteries” was found safe 6 years later after a stranger recognizes her. You can see below:
Missing girl Kayla Unbehaun featured on Netflix “Unsolved Mysteries” found safe 6 years later after stranger recognizes her. pic.twitter.com/I7RSJuiC36
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 17, 2023
“I pray for you every day and think about you all day long. My love for you has no limits or boundaries. You’re always unconditionally welcome in your home here with us and in my arms.”
Her father requested seclusion and made a suggestion that the two had a difficult road ahead of them in his most recent remark after she was discovered.
“We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning,” he wrote.
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