A young girl abducted by her mother in 2017 has been safely located, thanks to her appearance on Netflix’s reboot of Unsolved Mysteries.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children confirmed that Kayla Unbehaun, who was just nine years old when she was taken, was found in Asheville, North Carolina. Her mother, Heather Unbehaun, who had been accused of abducting Kayla from South Elgin, Illinois, was subsequently arrested.
A Disappearance That Lasted Years
The abduction occurred on July 4, 2017. Reports indicate that Heather packed her car and left with Kayla without permission. When Kayla’s father arrived at Heather’s home the following day to pick up his daughter, both were gone.
Since then, efforts to find Kayla included the release of her photos—both from the time of her disappearance and age-progressed images—by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A Facebook page called “Bring Kayla Home” was also created to raise awareness about her case. Occasionally, local news outlets would publish updates to keep her story alive.
Kayla’s case gained national attention when it was featured on Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries. This exposure ultimately played a crucial role in her rescue.
A Chance Encounter Leads to Rescue
According to WSOC-TV, a store owner who had recently watched an episode of Unsolved Mysteries recognized Kayla and contacted the police. Authorities acted swiftly, arresting Heather Unbehaun and placing Kayla—now 15 years old—into protective custody.
A Father’s Gratitude
Kayla’s father expressed his immense relief and gratitude in a statement:
“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 law enforcement agencies involved in her case. I also want to extend my appreciation to everyone who followed the ‘Bring Kayla Home’ Facebook page and helped keep her story alive.”
He requested privacy as he and his daughter work on rebuilding their relationship after years apart: “We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning.”
Moving Forward
Heather Unbehaun now faces charges of kidnapping and child abduction. While it will take time for Kayla and her family to heal from the years they lost, her safe return marks a hopeful new chapter in their lives.
This story serves as a reminder of the power of awareness and persistence in bringing missing children home.