South Elgin girl who was abducted in 2017 found in North Carolina

A South Elgin girl who was abducted in 2017 has been found in North Carolina and her mother has been arrested, ABC 7 reported Monday.

Kayla Unbehaun, now 15, is safe in protective custody, ABC 7 reported, citing its network affiliate in Asheville, North Carolina.

Police arrested former Wheaton resident Heather E. Unbehaun, 40, in Asheville over the weekend. A felony warrant for kidnapping had been issued for her on July 29, 2017. She is being held in the Buncombe County, North Carolina, jail on $250,000 bail with a July 11 court date, according to the jail website.

Kayla Unbehaun and her mother, Heather Unbehaun, remain missing. South Elgin police are urging the public to call 911 if the mother or child is seen or to call their investigations division at 847-741-2151 if anyone has more information. — Kayla Unbehaun and her mother, Heather Unbehaun. (Photos provided)

A local store owner recognized Kayla from an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” that was released Nov. 1 on Netflix and informed police, according to the news report.

Ryan Iserka reported his daughter missing after Kayla and her mother when the two failed to show up in Wheaton for a prearranged pickup on July 5, 2017.

Iserka had been granted full custody of Kayla in early 2017, while Heather Unbehaun had weekly visitation.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230515/south-elgin-girl-who-was-abducted-in-2017-found-in-north-carolina