Kayla Unbehaun’s story is one that gripped the nation for years—and ended in a moment no one expected. Abducted in 2017, Kayla was taken by her mother, Heather Unbehaun, who at the time only had visitation rights. For nearly six years, the young girl remained missing, leaving her family desperate for answers and hoping for a miracle.
The Abduction That Shocked a Family
Kayla disappeared when she was just nine years old. She had been staying at her mother’s home in South Elgin, Illinois, when her father, Ryan Iskerka—who held full custody—arrived to pick her up on July 5. Instead, he discovered that Kayla was gone. Authorities later confirmed that her non-custodial mother had taken her and fled, triggering a nationwide search.
Years of Searching and Public Appeals
Following Kayla’s disappearance, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children worked tirelessly to keep her case visible. Over the years, they shared missing child alerts and age-progressed images to show what Kayla might look like as she grew older. Despite these efforts, there were no confirmed sightings—until a chance encounter years later.
Recognized From a Netflix Documentary
The breakthrough came in an unexpected way. A shop owner in Asheville, North Carolina, noticed a teenage girl who looked strikingly familiar. He had recently watched an episode of Netflix’s true crime series Unsolved Mysteries and recognized her as the missing child from the documentary. Trusting his instincts, he contacted local police immediately.
That call changed everything.
Arrest and Safe Recovery
Police responded quickly, and Heather Unbehaun was arrested soon after. She is currently being held on a $250,000 bond and is awaiting extradition. Authorities in Kane County have charged her with one count of child abduction. Kayla, now 15 years old, was safely recovered and placed into protective custody before being reunited with her father.
A Father’s Emotional Response
Ryan Iskerka expressed overwhelming relief and gratitude following his daughter’s return. He thanked law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for their dedication over the years. He also asked for privacy, explaining that he and Kayla are focused on reconnecting and adjusting to this new chapter in their lives.
Police Praise the Power of Awareness
Asheville Police Lieutenant Diana Loveland publicly praised the shopkeeper for taking action. She emphasized that even old cases matter and encouraged the public to report tips whenever something feels familiar. According to police, this case proves how awareness and media exposure can directly lead to real-life rescues.
A Reminder That Cold Cases Can End Happily
Kayla’s recovery comes alongside other remarkable reunions, including a recent case where a woman abducted as a toddler more than five decades ago was identified through DNA testing and reunited with her biological family. These stories serve as powerful reminders that missing person cases—no matter how old—can still have hopeful endings.
Kayla Unbehaun’s safe return is nothing short of extraordinary. What began as a heartbreaking child abduction case ended with a reunion made possible by public awareness, modern media, and one observant shopkeeper. As true crime documentaries continue to capture global attention, this story proves they can do more than entertain—they can help bring families back together.
