In a heartwarming turn of events, 15-year-old Kayla Unbehaun was discovered safe and sound in Asheville, N.C. this past Saturday. The remarkable reunion came about when a vigilant shop owner recognized Kayla from an episode of the renowned series “Unsolved Mysteries.”
After enduring six years of separation following an alleged abduction by her non-custodial mother, an Illinois father and his daughter now face a challenging yet transformative path towards healing. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children acknowledges that their reunion marks the beginning of a profound journey towards recovery.
Kayla Unbehaun, now 15 years old, was discovered alive in Asheville, N.C. on a fateful Saturday. The remarkable turn of events unfolded when a perceptive shop owner recognized Kayla from an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” and promptly alerted emergency services by dialing 911.
Back on July 5, 2017, when Kayla was just 9 years old, she was reported missing from South Elgin, Ill., after she failed to return from a Fourth of July parade alongside her mother, Heather Unbehaun. The intervening years have undoubtedly been filled with uncertainty and anguish for both father and daughter, but their reunion offers a glimmer of hope for the future.
While Ryan Iskerka, Kayla’s father, expresses his overwhelming joy at being reunited with his daughter, it is important to recognize that this particular case is incredibly intricate, particularly when it comes to navigating the complex emotions involved. Rebecca Steinbach, a spokesperson for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), emphasizes the significant emotional challenges that arise in such circumstances.
According to Rebecca Steinbach, it is understandable that the emotional landscape for Kayla is intricate due to the fact that a parent will always hold a significant place in a child’s life. However, given that Kayla is now 15 years old and in her teenage years, the situation must be extremely disorienting and bewildering for her. Steinbach highlights the likelihood that Kayla wouldn’t want either of her parents to experience pain in this situation, adding to the complexity of her emotional journey.
Heather Unbehaun, 40, made an appearance in a Kane County, Ill., court on Thursday, facing a charge of child abduction. As reported by WLS-TV, she was released on a $10,000 bond and was required to wear a GPS tracking monitor. The information regarding whether she entered a plea or obtained legal representation to speak on her behalf remains unclear.
Rebecca Steinbach acknowledges that the situation still feels surreal, but the family is rallying together, utilizing all available resources and support, and taking each day as it comes.
During this period, Ryan Iskerka has requested privacy as he and Kayla begin the process of reconnecting and rebuilding their relationship. In a statement shared by the NCMEC, Iskerka expressed his overwhelming joy at Kayla’s safe return and extended gratitude to the Elgin, Ill., police and fire departments, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and all the law enforcement agencies involved in the case. He respectfully appeals for privacy as they embark on this new chapter and rediscover their connection.
