The idea of losing a kid is something that worries every parent. Almost all mothers and fathers experience panic when they discover a beloved child missing. This fear materialized for one father, who prayed for his daughter’s safe return home for the next six years of his life.

After Kayla Unbehaun vanished in 2017, her father never gave up hope that he would one day see his little girl again. Sometimes he would post on social media to tell people how much he missed his daughter, even though he had no way of getting in touch with her or finding out if she was safe and happy.

Ryan Iskerka sent his missing girl a lengthy birthday message on Thursday, January 5, 2023, wishing her a happy 15th birthday. “I think of you every day hoping and praying that you are safe, happy, and that you will come back into my life soon,” he said in the email, expressing how much he missed Kayla.

Ryan was given exclusive custody of their daughter after Heather attempted to overthrow him in court.
After Kayla vanished six years ago, Ryan questioned if she would ever remember how much he loved her and all of their wonderful family memories. The father continued to pray for Kayla’s return despite the fact that his hope seemed to be fading with each day that went by, noting, “And I’ve loved you through all of this.”

During Kayla’s abduction, the family resided in South Elgin, Illinois. Ryan continued to hope despite his doubts about ever seeing his daughter again. He disclosed the details of the kidnapping, saying Kayla was taken from him without his consent or notice by her non-custodial mother.

How Kayla Vanished
Ryan told the tale of how his daughter was taken by his ex-wife without his consent. Though they had issues, he and Heather Unbehaun, Kayla’s mother, were initially happy in their marriage. They chose to part ways soon after welcoming Kayla, which resulted in a protracted custody dispute. At last, shared custody of Kayla was granted to both of them.

Ryan finally got some wonderful news after searching for his daughter for six years.
Ryan disclosed that while he would not obstruct Heather’s plans to relocate to Athens, Georgia, with Kayla, he wanted to ensure that he would continue to see his daughter. Heather packed all their belongings and moved without alerting Ryan while they were arranging a visitation arrangement.

Heather was upset when Ryan filed for child support and visitation rights after learning about the relocation over the phone from Kayla. The father remarked that he felt his actions were “a declaration of war” by Heather. Heather tried everything to push back the visitation schedule when they went to court.

Ryan had very little time with his daughter during this court struggle. He saw Kayla in person just during Heather’s Christmas visit, and he was only able to speak with her over Skype for a few hours at a time. Ryan’s relationship with his daughter suffered during their time apart, and he observed that she would frequently act aloof.

Ryan was given exclusive custody of their daughter after Heather attempted to overthrow him in court. After Kayla moved in with Ryan, Heather picked her up for a camping trip in July. Ryan had not heard from Heather by the time he went to pick up his daughter on July 5.

When Ryan got to Heather’s father’s house, where he was meant to pick Kayla up, it was unoccupied and locked. Heather’s felony arrest warrant was released on July 29, 2017. After the kidnapping, Ryan wrote to his daughter, promising to never give up on her.

Regaining Kayla
Ryan finally got some wonderful news after searching for his daughter for six years. In May 2023, a store worker in Asheville, North Carolina, noticed Kayla and recognized her. Soon after she saw her at the store, she called the police, and they came.

The employee requested that her name and the name of the store where she works not be included in the documents in order to maintain her anonymity. When asked why she chose to contact the police, she replied simply, “It was the right thing to do.”

After the hunt for Kayla proved to be successful, Lt. Diana Loveland of Asheville urged others to report any such sightings in the future:

“Although it’s uncommon, it’s good that people don’t hesitate to call us so we can come investigate when they think they recognize someone, regardless of how old the story may be.”

Heather was shortly taken into custody by the Asheville Police and placed under arrest at the Buncombe County Detention Facility in North Carolina, with a $250,000 bond.

Fortunately, Kayla’s case garnered a lot of attention over time. “Bring Kayla Home” was a Facebook group that Ryan and his family created with the intention of disseminating information and raising awareness about Kayla’s kidnapping. The store clerk knew Kayla from “Unsolved Mysteries,” a Netflix series that also featured Kayla’s disappearance.

Ryan expressed gratitude to everyone who raised awareness and continued the case. “I’m overjoyed that Kayla is home safe,” the father added. I would want to express my gratitude to all of the law enforcement organizations that helped with her case, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the South Elgin Police Department.

Ryan’s relationship with his daughter has suffered after they were separated for six years. He requested anonymity in his statement while he gradually mended his connection with Kayla. However, the devoted father would not let his daughter escape his control once more. “There is nothing I want more than to have you back in my life,” he wrote in a 2012 letter. And she is now.