The breakthrough in the case occurred when a vigilant individual in Asheville recognized Kayla from an episode of Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries” about parental abductions. This person promptly alerted the authorities, resulting in Kayla being located and the subsequent arrest of Unbehaun.
The legal history between Unbehaun and Iserka reveals a tumultuous custody battle. Iserka had obtained full custody of Kayla in early 2017, with Unbehaun granted only unsupervised “parenting time” visits. Concerns about Kayla’s well-being were evident in court documents, as the judge had previously granted Iserka sole discretion over medical decisions due to Unbehaun’s alleged interference with the child’s healthcare.
Attorney John Vojta, representing Iserka, expressed his concern over Unbehaun’s release on bond, given her fugitive status for six years. Meanwhile, Iserka and Kayla have been reunited, and they made the journey back to Illinois together. In a statement, Iserka thanked the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, law enforcement agencies, and the supporters on the ‘Bring Kayla Home’ Facebook page for their role in the safe return of his daughter.
Mugshot of Kayla’s mother Heather Unbehaun, Photo Credit: ABC 7 Chicago/Youtube
As the legal proceedings unfold, Unbehaun is scheduled for her next court appearance on Wednesday morning at the Kane County Judicial Center. The unexpected twists and turns in this case continue to captivate the public’s attention.
