‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Helps Solve Case of Missing Little Girl

Unsolved Mysteries has officially solved a mystery!

According to the Independent, an episode of the hit crime show helped a person in North Carolina identify a missing child.

Kayla Unbehaun was abducted in Illinois by her mother, Heather Unbehaun, when she was nine years old. Heather had visitation rights but not custody.

In the episode, Kayla’s disappearance on July 4, 2017, was documented with testimony from her father, Ryan, who went to pick up his daughter after a visit with her mother in Wheaton, Ill., and discovered the two had vanished. Ryan had full custody of Kayla at the time.

For the last six years, the trail has been cold when it comes to Kayla’s whereabouts, which is what led to the story being featured in a 2022 episode of the Netflix series titled “Abducted by a Parent.”

In April 2023, NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) released an age-progression photo showing how Kayla might look at 15 years old.

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Now, thanks to a chance sighting by a viewer of the show in Asheville, North Carolina, Kayla was spotted and returned home to her father.

The person is an unidentified store owner, per the Independent, who saw Kayla shopping and recognized her from the popular Netflix show.

Kayla was then taken into protective custody by police after the person called in their suspicions.

Apparently, Kayla’s mother, Heather, has been taken into custody and is being held on a $250,000 bond. She is being charged with one count of child abduction.

“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,” Kayla’s father, Ryan, said in a statement.

He continued, “We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning.”

For years, Ryan kept hope for Kayla’s safe return alive with a Facebook page promoting the case called “Bring Kayla Home.”