Illinois girl missing for 6 years found alive in North Carolina
A heartwarming reunion is underway as a father is finally reunited with his daughter who went missing six years ago and has now been found alive.
Kayla Unbehaun, who was only 9 years old at the time of her alleged abduction by her mother in 2017, has resurfaced and gained renewed attention through various media outlets, including a Netflix series and a Peacock series called “Vanished: The Missing Persons Project.”
Authorities in Asheville, North Carolina, located Kayla after someone recognized her mother from media coverage, possibly from the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries.” It remains unclear whether this specific show directly led to her identification.
The case also garnered attention through the Peacock series “Vanished: The Missing Persons Project,” shining a national spotlight on her disappearance.
According to reports, Kayla’s mother, who did not have custody, kidnapped her from their home in the Chicago area.
Now 16 years old, Kayla is currently under the custody of the North Carolina Division of Social Services.
She is expected to be brought back to Illinois soon, where she will be reunited with her father.
The circumstances of her discovery after all these years are truly remarkable.
As for the mother, she is now in custody and facing charges of kidnapping.
She is expected to be extradited back to Illinois to face legal proceedings.
The father, in a statement released by the Elgin Police Department, expressed his joy at having Kayla back home safely.
He extended his gratitude to the police department, the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and all the agencies involved in the search.
The father also thanked the followers of the “Bring Kayla Home” Facebook page.
He requested privacy as they reintegrate and embark on this new chapter of their lives, emphasizing that he has not yet had the chance to see his daughter.
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing efforts to locate missing individuals and bring them back to their loved ones.
