Woman Accused of Abducting Daughter Turns Herself In
In a surprising turn of events, Heather Unbehaun, accused of abducting her daughter from an Illinois suburb six years ago, has turned herself in. This dramatic development ends a case that captured national attention. Heather Unbehaun, mother of 15-year-old Kayla Unbehaun, is now in custody at the Kane County Adult Justice Center in Illinois, facing abduction charges without bail.
Kayla Found and Reunited
This unexpected turn comes just days after authorities found Kayla safe in North Carolina and reunited her with her custodial father. Police arrested Unbehaun on Saturday in North Carolina on a fugitive warrant from Illinois, specifically on charges of kidnapping and child abduction. Although initially held on a $250,000 bond, Unbehaun posted bail and was released on Tuesday morning, according to Asheville Police Department spokesperson Samantha Booth.
The Abduction Incident
The case dates back to July 4, 2017, when Unbehaun reportedly abducted Kayla, then 9 years old, after a parade in South Elgin, a Chicago suburb. Unbehaun told Kayla’s custodial father, Ryan Iserka, they were going on a camping trip, but neither returned. This led to a felony warrant for Unbehaun’s arrest on kidnapping charges.
Breakthrough from Netflix Show
A vigilant individual in Asheville recognized Kayla from an episode of Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries” about parental abductions. This person alerted authorities, leading to Kayla’s location and Unbehaun’s arrest.
Tumultuous Custody Battle
Unbehaun and Iserka’s legal history reveals a tumultuous custody battle. In early 2017, Iserka obtained full custody of Kayla, with Unbehaun granted unsupervised “parenting time” visits. Court documents show concerns about Kayla’s well-being, with Iserka having sole discretion over medical decisions due to Unbehaun’s alleged interference with the child’s healthcare.
Reaction to Unbehaun’s Release
Attorney John Vojta, representing Iserka, expressed concern over Unbehaun’s release on bond, given her fugitive status for six years. Meanwhile, Iserka and Kayla have reunited and returned to Illinois together. Iserka thanked the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, law enforcement agencies, and supporters on the ‘Bring Kayla Home’ Facebook page for their role in his daughter’s safe return.
Upcoming Court Appearance
As legal proceedings unfold, Unbehaun’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Kane County Judicial Center. The unexpected twists in this case continue to captivate the public.
