In 2017, nine-year-old Kayla Unbehaun went missing under the care of her mother, Heather Unbehaun. The mysterious disappearance led to Kayla being featured on Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries” series. Now, at fifteen years old, Kayla has been found alive in North Carolina after six years.
Following the discovery, Kayla’s mother, Heather, was arrested on a fugitive charge in Asheville, North Carolina. She was released on bond and is set to appear in court on July 11, 2023, to face the charges against her.
The breakthrough in finding Kayla came when a woman recognized her during a shopping trip at Plato’s Closet in Asheville. The Good Samaritan, familiar with the case through “published media,” immediately contacted authorities to report the discovery.
Kayla’s biological father, Ryan Iskerka, expressed joy and gratitude in a statement released through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. He thanked law enforcement agencies and requested privacy as they reunite and embark on a new beginning.
Kayla disappeared on July 4, 2017, under her mother’s care after a Fourth of July parade in Wheaton, Illinois. The noncustodial parent, Heather Unbehaun, failed to appear for a court-ordered exchange on July 5, 2017, prompting Iskerka to report Kayla missing. The case, featured on Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries” in November 2022, gained attention and ultimately led to Kayla’s rediscovery.
The unfolding events highlight the complexities of custody disputes and the crucial role of public awareness in aiding the resolution of missing person cases.
