Abducted girl featured on Netflix’s ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ reboot found safe in North Carolina

A young girl who was abducted by her mother in July 2017 was found thanks to an appearance she made on Netflix’s reboot of Unsolved Mysteries.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children announced that Kayla Unbehaun, who was nine years old at the time of the abduction, had been located in Asheville, North Carolina.

Her mother, Heather Unhebhaun, who was accused of taking her from South Elgin, Illinois in 2017, was arrested.

Kayla was only nine years old when her non-custodial mother took her.

According to local reports, Kayla’s father went to pick his daughter up from her mother’s house on July 5, but couldn’t not find Kayla. Heather allegedly packed her car and drove off with Kayla on July 4.

Since her disappearance the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children shared an image of a nine-year-old Kayla as well as an age-progression photo online. A Facebook page was created to spread awareness and every so often an article about her disappearance would appear in the local news.

Kayla also appeared on Netflix’s reboot of Unsolved Mysteries, and it was her appearance on the show that led to her rescue.

According to WSOC-TV, a store owner who recently watched an episode of the series spotted Kayla and called police.

Authorities arrested Heather and Kayla, who is now 15, was placed into protective custody.

“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 of the law enforcement agencies who assisted with her case. I also want to thank all of the followers on the “Bring Kayla Home” Facebook page, who helped keep her story alive and were instrumental in spreading awareness. We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning,” Kayla’s father said in a statement.

Heather Unbehaun, the mother of Kayla Unbehaun, was arrested on kidnapping and child abduction charges.

Although it will take some time for everyone to catch up on the lost years, I’m so glad Kayla made it back home. Now is the time for the healing to begin.

Related Posts

Social Security COLA Update 2025

Millions of Americans are bracing for another shift in their monthly Social Security checks as 2025 approaches, but this time the increase feels different. After last year’s…

How One Risky Choice Can Change Your Life: Understanding the Emotional, Social, and Personal Consequences of a Moment Made Without Clarity

President Donald Trump is facing heightened scrutiny as a new federal indictment adds to his complex post-presidential legal challenges. The case centers on alleged actions after the…

Savannah Guthrie Speaks From the Heart in Difficult Update

In an emotional moment that touched viewers across the country, Savannah Guthrie shared deeply sad news, pausing her usual composed on-air presence to speak from the heart….

Criminal expert suggests frightening twist in Guthrie Case

Nancy Guthrie Case: Experts Outline Disturbing Abduction Theory More than two weeks after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson-area home, investigators continue to pursue leads — while…

Former ESPN Host Says She Felt “Ill” Sitting Near JD Vance at Winter Olympics

Former ESPN broadcaster Sarah Spain recently shared a moment from the Winter Olympics that left her unexpectedly unsettled. Speaking on her podcast Good Game With Sarah Spain,…

Eye-opening approval ratings reveal what Americans truly think about Trump’s second term

Listen to Donald Trump or members of his administration for any length of time and it is easy to come away with the impression that their achievements…