Heather Unbehaun, accused of abducting her daughter from an Illinois suburb six years ago, has turned herself in, ending a high-profile case. Unbehaun is now in custody at the Kane County Adult Justice Center in Illinois, facing abduction charges without bail.
Days before her surrender, Kayla Unbehaun was found safe in North Carolina and reunited with her custodial father. Heather Unbehaun was arrested in North Carolina on a fugitive warrant from Illinois for kidnapping and child abduction. Initially held on a $250,000 bond, she was released after posting bail on Tuesday, according to Asheville Police Department spokesperson Samantha Booth.
Kayla was abducted on July 4, 2017, after a parade in South Elgin, Illinois. Heather told Kayla’s father, Ryan Iserka, they were going camping but never returned. A felony warrant was issued for Heather’s arrest.
The breakthrough came when someone in Asheville recognized Kayla from Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries” and alerted authorities.
Ryan Iserka thanked law enforcement and supporters for reuniting him with Kayla. Heather Unbehaun’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Kane County Judicial Center.
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.