The girl’s mother was arrested in Asheville, North Carolina
A teenage girl who was abducted by her mother six years ago was found alive in North Carolina last week. The girl’s disappearance was also featured in Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries”. Kayla Unbehoun who turned 15 in January was 9 years old when her mother, Heather Unbehoun, abducted her during a parent-child visit in Wheaton.
An arrest report states that the girl’s mother was arrested on a fugitive charge in Asheville, North Carolina. According to NBC News, he is expected to be extradited to Illinois.
According to police, a woman in Plato’s cell in Asheville recognized Anbehoun from “published media” about the case and contacted authorities.
Kayla’s father, Ryan Iskerka, said, “I’m so happy that Kayla is home safe. I want to thank the South Elgin Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and all the law enforcement agencies that assisted with her case ” In a statement on Monday through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning,” he added.
According to NBC, Kayla went missing on July 4, 2017, in Wheaton, Illinois. According to a GoFundMe page created by Kayla’s father, he was supposed to meet Heather Unbehaun on July 5, 2017, to pick up her daughter, but the pair never arrived. The exchange was court-ordered, Ischerka wrote.
Heather was last seen packing her belongings on the roof of her car.
Kayla’s disappearance was also featured in an episode of the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries” in November 2022.
NBC Chicago reported that the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for kidnapping for Heather Unbehoun. It is unclear whether he has obtained a lawyer.
According to the news station, Kayla was placed in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Social Services. The news portal reported that he is expected to be reunited with his family and brought back to Illinois.