A young girl who was kidnapped by her mother in July 2017 has been found because of her appearance on Netflix’s ‘Unsolved Mysteries.’
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said that Kayla Unbehaun, who was nine when she was taken, was found in Asheville, North Carolina.
Her mother, Heather Unbehaun, who took Kayla from South Elgin, Illinois in 2017, was arrested.
Kayla was only nine years old when her mother, who didn’t have custody, took her.
Reports say that on July 5, Kayla’s father went to pick her up from her mother’s house but couldn’t find her. Her mother, Heather, is said to have packed up her car and left with Kayla on July 4.
Since Kayla disappeared, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children shared her photo and an updated picture showing what she might look like older. A Facebook page was set up to raise awareness, and local news articles about her disappearance appeared from time to time.
Kayla also appeared on Netflix’s ‘Unsolved Mysteries,’ and it was because of her appearance on the show that she was found.
According to WSOC-TV, a store owner who had seen an episode of the series recognized Kayla and called the police.
The police arrested Heather, and Kayla, now 15, was taken into protective custody.
Kayla’s father said, ‘I’m so happy Kayla is home safe. I want to thank the South Elgin Police Department, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and all the law enforcement agencies who helped with her case. I also want to thank everyone on the “Bring Kayla Home” Facebook page who kept her story alive and spread the word. We ask for privacy as we reconnect and start this new chapter.’
Heather is being held on a $250,000 bond and is waiting to be sent back to Illinois.
