Almost six years after the disappearance and alleged abduction of Kayla Unbehaun by her mother Heather Unbehaun, the child, now 15-years-old, has been found, hundreds of miles from her hometown.
A shop owner contacted authorities on May 13th in Asheville, North Carolina, after recognising the girl and Heather.
Kayla has been placed in protective custody and her mother, Heather (40) has been arrested after their identities were confirmed by investigators.
"We are overjoyed to report that the girl is in good condition and good spirit since being reunited with her family," South Elgin Police said in a statement on May 16th.
In addition to thanking other law enforcement agencies, the department recognised "all the citizens across the united States who provided tips to us" on the case, as well as other law enforcement agencies.
Kayla's case was documented in a November 2022 episode of the Netflix series 'Unsolved Mysteries.'
She was first reported missing on July 5th, 2017 when she was 9 and her mother failed to show up to a court-ordered custody exchange.
A nationwide extraditable arrest warrant on a child abduction was issued on July 28th, 2017 after Kayla had officially entered the national missing persons database.
The woman shop owner who reported the sighting of Kayla on May 13th, told investigators she recognised Heather from "published media."
It has been reported through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, that Kayla's father Ryan was "overjoyed" by the return of his daughter.
"I want to thank the South Elgin Police Department, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and all of the law enforcement agencies who assisted with her case. I also want to thank all of the followers on the 'Bring Kayla Home' Facebook page, who helped keep her story alive and were instrumental in spreading awareness. We ask for privacy as we get to know each other again and navigate this new beginning."
Heather was released from the Buncombe County Detention Facility in North Carolina after posting bond. She is expected to appear in court on July 11th.
It has not been reported if Heather has obtained legal representation for herself.
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