In a shocking unsolved missing person case, an Illinois girl, Kayla Unbehaun, only nine years old at the time, was allegedly abducted by her non-custodial mother nearly six years ago. It sounds like a plot straight out of a thrilling movie, but this was all too real for Kayla and her father, Ryan.
Kayla has now been found safe and sound in North Carolina. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NEMEC) played a crucial role in finding Kayla who is now 15 years old. After issuing a felony warrant for Kayla’s mother, Heather, in July 2017, they tirelessly searched for any leads. Finally, their efforts paid off when a store owner in North Carolina recognized Kayla from an episode of the Netflix show “Unsolved Mysteries.” T
As news broke, Kayla’s father, Ryan, expressed his overwhelming joy and gratitude. He thanked the City of Elgin, Illinois Police, and Fire Departments, NEMEC, and all the law enforcement agencies involved in bringing his daughter home safely. Ryan also asked for privacy as they embark on this new chapter of their lives, getting to know each other again and navigating this fresh start.
In a heartfelt Facebook post written on Jan. 5th of this year and titled “Bring Kayla Home,” Ryan shared his deepest emotions, expressing his love and longing for his daughter. He spoke of the countless moments he dreamed of being her father and how his love for her knows no bounds. Ryan also acknowledged that Kayla is now a young woman with her own thoughts and opinions, hoping she will remember the truth about the love they shared as a family.
“I love you and miss you so much. I can’t wait for the day that I get to see you again, hoping each day I wake up will be the day. It could never come soon enough. I think of you every day hoping and praying that you are safe, happy and that you will come back into my life soon,” the post read. “There are so many others who love you and miss you as well.”
“You are a young woman now with your own thoughts and opinions. I hope you are old enough to realize you only know half of the story from one point of view,” it continued. “I hope you could remember [the] truth about how things were when we were all able to be together, how good things really were.”
“The truth is I’m still alive and love you with every beat of my heart. I love you so much that there can be no bounds to measure it by. I have loved you since before you were even alive when you were just a possibility,” the post concluded. “I’ve dreamed about being your Dada since I was a little boy. And I’ve loved you through all of this, no matter what will happen and will continue to love you forever. I’ve never wanted anything but the best for you which I feel part of that is being in each other’s lives.”
