When one thinks of missing children, it surely stirs up some rather contentious feelings. Kayla Unbehaun was only nine years old when she was reportedly kidnapped by her mother in Illinois. After six long years and being featured on Netflix‘s “Unsolved Mysteries,” Kayla has finally been found alive and safe in North Carolina.
Missing Children – The Moment of Discovery
On May 13, the now 15-year-old was shopping with her mother, Heather Unbehaun, at Plato’s Closet in Asheville. It was there that a sharp-eyed store employee recognized them and alerted the police. Heather was subsequently arrested but has since been released after posting a $250,000 bail, according to WLOS-TV.
Reunited with Family
Kayla has been reunited with her father, Ryan Iserka, in Illinois and is reported to be in good condition. “I’m overjoyed that Kayla is home safe,” Iserka said in a statement to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. He extended his gratitude to the South Elgin Police Department, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and all law enforcement agencies involved in the case. Additionally, he thanked the followers of the “Bring Kayla Home” Facebook page for their support and awareness efforts. “We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning,” Iserka added.
A Mother’s Abduction
At the time of Kayla’s disappearance, her father had full custody, while her mother had weekly visitation rights. On July 5, 2017, after a court-ordered visit, Iserka went to pick Kayla up from her mother’s house in Wheaton, Illinois but found neither of them there. According to a GoFundMe page, Heather was last seen packing her car, and her phone and social media accounts were deactivated.
The Search Effort & Legal Proceedings
A felony warrant for kidnapping was issued for Heather on July 29, 2017. Since Kayla’s disappearance, her case has been widely covered in news and media reports. In 2020, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) posted an age-progression photo to help the public recognize her. Her father also gave numerous interviews to keep the story in the public eye.
A photo of Kayla and her mother appeared in a 2022 episode of Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries” focused on family abductions. Heather Unbehaun is scheduled to appear in court on July 11 in North Carolina and is expected to be extradited to Illinois.
The Broader Context of Missing Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reports that hundreds of thousands of children are reported missing each year. While many are briefly runaways, abandoned, or taken by relatives, a much smaller number, about 115 annually, are victims of stereotypical kidnapping. This type of abduction involves being taken by a stranger or acquaintance, held far from home, and kept with the intent of permanent captivity. This case echoes other high-profile abductions with eventual happy, though complex, resolutions.
Read More: Escaping a Nightmare: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez
Jaycee Dugard
Jaycee Lee Dugard was kidnapped in 1991 at age 11 and held captive for 18 years by Phillip Garrido, a paroled sex offender. She was rescued in 2009 after Garrido brought his two daughters, whom he fathered with Dugard, to a university campus. Garrido received a 431-year prison sentence, and his wife, Nancy, got 36 years to life. Dugard detailed her experience in her memoir, “A Stolen Life.”
Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart was abducted at knifepoint in 2002 at age 14 from her Salt Lake City home. She was held for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, before being recognized and rescued. Mitchell is serving a life sentence, while Barzee received 15 years. Smart has since become an activist and television commentator.
Shawn Hornbeck
Shawn Hornbeck was last seen riding his bike in Richwoods, Missouri, in 2002. Four years later, he was discovered during a search for another missing boy, revealing that Michael Devlin had held him captive. Hornbeck later founded a support organization for abducted children. Its incredible how missing children have decided to help others.
Carlina White
Carlina White was kidnapped as a newborn from a Manhattan hospital in 1987. She discovered her true identity in 2010 after recognizing her baby pictures on the NCMEC website. Ann Pettway, who raised her, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Katie Beers
Katie Beers was kidnapped in 1993 at age 10 and held in a dungeon by John Esposito. Her case gained national attention, revealing years of prior abuse. Beers, now an advocate, wrote “Buried Memories,” highlighting her recovery journey.
The Human Spirit
Kayla Unbehaun’s story, like those of Dugard, Smart, Hornbeck, White, and Beers, reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up hope. Her safe return marks the end of a six-year ordeal and the beginning of a new chapter for her and her family.
