by The Remarkable Story of Kayla Unbehaun: A Six-Year Missing Person Case Solved by Chance
In a gripping resolution to a years-long mystery, the case of Kayla Unbehaun underscores the power of media exposure, public awareness, and sheer luck in solving child abduction cases. First reported missing in 2017 at the age of nine, Kayla was finally found in 2023 when an observant store employee recognized her from a brief mention on Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries.
This extraordinary case highlights the devastation of parental abductions while also offering hope—showing that even after years of separation, reunification is possible. In the digital age, media visibility plays a crucial role in resolving missing person cases, no matter how long they remain open.
The Disappearance: A Holiday Weekend Turns Into a Six-Year Ordeal
What started as a routine custody arrangement over the Fourth of July weekend in 2017 quickly spiraled into a nightmare for Kayla’s father, Ryan Iskerka. On July 5, Kayla was supposed to be returned to him by her mother, Heather Unbehaun, who was the non-custodial parent. However, that exchange never happened.
Witnesses reported seeing Heather loading up her car, seemingly preparing for what some family members believed was a camping trip to Wisconsin. But as the days passed without any contact, concern grew. Heather soon deactivated her social media accounts, turned off her phone, and effectively disappeared with Kayla. Ryan immediately filed a missing person report, launching a multi-year search across multiple states.
Parental abduction cases like this present a unique challenge. Unlike stranger abductions, which often trigger immediate, high-profile responses, cases involving a parent sometimes fail to generate the same urgency. However, the emotional toll and legal ramifications remain just as severe, leaving children caught in custody disputes with long-lasting psychological scars.
The Remarkable Story of Kayla Unbehaun Years of Uncertainty: A Father’s Tireless Search
For nearly six years, Ryan Iskerka endured the agony of not knowing his daughter’s whereabouts. He worked tirelessly alongside law enforcement and missing children organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), to keep Kayla’s case in the public eye.
In January 2020, NCMEC released an age-progression image of Kayla, showing how she might look at 12 years old. Accompanying this was a heartfelt message from Ryan:
“I want you to know that I love you so much, and so does the rest of your family. We all miss you and think about you every day.”
Each passing year meant missed birthdays, school milestones, and everyday moments that could never be recovered. Yet, despite the heartbreak, Ryan never gave up hope that one day, Kayla would return home.
The Netflix Breakthrough: How a True Crime Series Led to Kayla’s Rescue
The turning point in this case came from an unexpected source—Netflix.
Kayla’s story was briefly featured in a pre-credit roll of Unsolved Mysteries, displaying her age-progression image and basic case details. While her case wasn’t the focus of a full episode, this brief exposure made all the difference.
A store employee in Asheville, North Carolina, happened to see the show and later recognized Kayla when she walked into Plato’s Closet, a local clothing store. The observant individual immediately contacted authorities, leading law enforcement to confirm the girl’s identity.
This case highlights the power of media and technology in solving missing person cases. From milk carton campaigns to shows like America’s Most Wanted, public exposure has played a role in numerous recoveries. Streaming platforms like Netflix, however, have expanded the reach of such cases exponentially, making it possible for millions to encounter missing person reports.
For Kayla, this increased visibility ultimately bridged the gap between her disappearance in Illinois and her discovery in North Carolina.
The Discovery: A Chance Encounter Leads to Arrest
On May 13, 2023, after nearly six years in hiding, Kayla’s mother, Heather Unbehaun, was arrested in Asheville on a fugitive charge. She was held on a $250,000 bail, which she posted days later.
For Ryan, the moment of Kayla’s rescue brought a flood of emotions—relief, joy, and cautious optimism about their future together. The emotional reunion marked the beginning of a new journey—one of healing and reintegration after years of separation.
Many children in parental abduction cases aren’t aware they’ve been abducted. They often grow up believing the narrative provided by the parent who took them. At 15, Kayla now had to process the reality of her situation—a complex emotional task for any teenager.
Legal Aftermath: What Comes Next?
After her arrest, Heather Unbehaun was extradited back to Illinois to face child abduction charges. On March 30, 2023, she turned herself into Kane County authorities, where she appeared in bond court. A judge set her bond at $10,000, requiring her to post $1,000 for release, with conditions including GPS tracking and a ban on leaving Illinois.
Meanwhile, Kayla’s father released a statement through NCMEC, expressing gratitude:
“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 who assisted with her case… We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again.”
Rebuilding their father-daughter relationship after six years apart would be no easy task. However, for Ryan, the most important thing was that Kayla was finally home.
Parental Abduction: A Crisis in Plain Sight
Kayla Unbehaun’s case shines a light on a hidden crisis—family abductions. Unlike stranger kidnappings, which generate immediate fear and media coverage, parental abductions often go unnoticed by the general public, despite being far more common.
Children taken by a parent often face isolation, disrupted education, and psychological distress. The abducting parent may believe they are acting in the child’s best interest, but in reality, these cases rob children of their legal rights and relationships with their extended family.
The Remarkable Story of Kayla Unbehaun Key Takeaways from Kayla’s Story:
✅ Parental abductions are serious crimes—they disrupt families and cause lasting emotional harm. ✅ Public awareness matters—even a brief mention in the media can make a difference. ✅ Hope is never lost—even years later, missing children can be found and reunited with their loved ones.
For Ryan Iskerka, Kayla’s return marks the end of a nightmare and the start of a new chapter. And for the rest of us, her story is a powerful reminder of why we must stay vigilant, keep missing children in the public eye, and never stop searching.
If you found this story inspiring, share it to spread awareness about parental abduction cases. You never know who might recognize a missing child and help bring them home.
