The Lingering Questions of the Illinois Kidnapping case as Abducted Girl is Found Safe in North Carolina

Girl Abducted in Illinois Found Safe after Six Years

A 15-year-old girl from Illinois who was abducted by her mother in 2017 has been found safe in North Carolina, following an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” on Netflix. Kayla Unbehaun, who was nine years old at the time of her abduction, was taken by her mother Heather from South Elgin, Illinois, and an arrest warrant for child abduction was issued, but the pair disappeared without a trace. Despite age-progression photos being circulated through the years, it wasn’t until the recent television show that the case was solved. Kayla’s father Ryan Iserka expressed his gratitude to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the various law enforcement agencies that assisted in his daughter’s recovery.

The Investigation

Kayla’s abduction occurred in 2017 when her father went to pick her up from her mother’s house after a court-ordered visitation but they were nowhere to be found. Heather had packed up her car and left with Kayla, the Athens Banner-Herald reported at the time. Authorities believed that they may have traveled to the Athens, Georgia area. Following their disappearance, age-progression photos of Kayla were released, but the child remained missing. Heather had expressed her desire to live off-the-grid and to have a carefree lifestyle. Prior to the abduction, Heather sold her car and took Kayla to Athens without a visitation arrangement.

The Custody Battle

Kayla’s parents were in a custody battle at the time of her abduction. After a series of court visits, a judge awarded full custody of Kayla to her father in January 2017, who lived with his wife and two other children. However, Heather was allowed weekly visitations with her daughter, which ended when she abducted Kayla in July 2017. Ryan’s Facebook page showed that he never stopped posting about his daughter and even posted a birthday tribute in January 2021, showing a baby photo of his daughter and declaring his love and hope for a reunion. With the girl’s recovery, the family can now begin the long process of reconnecting.

The Importance of Publicity

The recovery of Kayla shows the importance of publicity, and how media outlets can assist law enforcement in searching for missing persons. The family expressed their gratitude for the attention given to their daughter’s case over the years. It also highlights the crucial role of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, a nonprofit organization that assists in the recovery of missing children across the United States.

Conclusion and Advice

While Kayla’s return is a happy ending to a heart-wrenching case, it’s important to remind parents of the importance of ensuring custodial agreements are followed. In this instance, Heather was able to use visitation rights to take Kayla and vanish for six years. It’s a reminder to be vigilant in ensuring that the safety and well-being of children always come first. Parents must pay close attention to both physical and emotional signs and never hesitate to involve law enforcement if they suspect something is amiss. Finally, Kayla’s return should also remind people of the power of hope and perseverance, and the tremendous impact that one person’s actions can have in helping to finding a missing person.