Kayla Unbehaun, Who Vanished at 9, Was Found After Dad Prayed Every Day for 6 Years to Find Her Alive
It is a story that began in heartbreak but ended in a miracle—a tale of unwavering faith, love, and a father’s relentless hope. Kayla Unbehaun, a girl who vanished at just nine years old in 2017, has been found alive and safe six years later. The extraordinary twist in this long and painful saga has captivated the hearts of millions, showing the world the power of a parent’s prayers and the enduring hope that love can overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
The Disappearance That Shocked a Nation
On July 4, 2017, Kayla was reported missing from South Elgin, Illinois. Her disappearance wasn’t a mystery in the traditional sense—authorities quickly determined that she had been abducted by her non-custodial mother, Heather Unbehaun. At the time, Heather had visitation rights but did not have legal custody. When she failed to return Kayla after a scheduled visit, the alarm was raised, but by then, both mother and daughter had vanished.
A warrant was issued for Heather’s arrest, and Kayla was entered into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database. Despite media coverage and tireless efforts by law enforcement, years passed with no sign of Kayla or Heather. It was as if they had simply disappeared off the face of the Earth.
A Father’s Unshakable Faith
Throughout those long years, one person never gave up: Kayla’s father, Ryan Iskerka. His life was upended by his daughter’s abduction, yet he refused to let despair take root. Every single day for six years, Ryan prayed for Kayla’s safety, her health, and for the chance to see her again. He worked closely with authorities, distributed flyers, gave interviews, and maintained a website and Facebook page dedicated to finding his daughter. He marked every birthday, every holiday, every missed milestone with messages of love and hope.
People who knew Ryan describe him as a quiet warrior—someone who never let bitterness or anger cloud his heart, but who poured all his energy into hope. “I just want her to know I never stopped looking,” he once told a local news outlet. And he didn’t.
The Miraculous Discovery
The break in the case came in an unexpected way. In May 2023, a store clerk in Asheville, North Carolina, recognized Heather Unbehaun from a segment they had seen on a true-crime TV show. The clerk alerted authorities, and within hours, law enforcement arrived and confirmed her identity. Kayla, now 15 years old, was found safe with her.
Heather was taken into custody and charged with child abduction. She was released on bail pending trial. The news sent shockwaves through the media and brought an outpouring of emotion from around the country. But for Ryan, it meant something deeper: the moment he had been praying for had finally come.
A Tearful Reunion
The reunion between Kayla and her father was deeply emotional. Though six years had passed, and though she had grown from a child into a teenager, the bond was still there. Ryan released a brief statement, saying:
“I’m overjoyed that Kayla is home safe. I want to thank law enforcement, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and all the people who kept her story alive. Most of all, I thank God for bringing my daughter back to me.”
According to family friends, Kayla was overwhelmed but grateful to be reunited with her father and other loved ones. Reintegrating into a life she hadn’t known for years would take time, but the support system around her is strong. Counselors and therapists have stepped in to help guide her and her father through this emotional transition.
The Road Ahead
There are still many unanswered questions about what life was like for Kayla during those missing years. How did her mother keep her hidden for so long? What did Kayla know about her father? Why did Heather flee, despite legal orders?
While Heather awaits trial, Kayla is beginning the delicate process of reclaiming her life. Experts say cases like this require patience and compassion, as reunification is both joyful and complicated. For Ryan, it’s a chance to finally be the father he always wanted to be—to share in his daughter’s life, to catch up on missed birthdays, and to help her heal.
National Impact
Kayla’s case has reignited discussions about parental abduction, a crime that often doesn’t receive the same attention as stranger kidnappings. According to the FBI, thousands of children are taken by family members every year, and many remain missing for long periods.
The successful resolution of Kayla’s case is now being used as a model and symbol of hope for other families in similar pain. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children emphasized the importance of public awareness and the vital role everyday citizens play in solving these cases. The store clerk who made the call was credited with changing the course of Kayla’s life—and reminding us that vigilance matters.
A Father’s Message to the World
In a follow-up statement weeks after the reunion, Ryan said something that struck a chord with everyone who had followed his story:
“To every parent missing a child: don’t give up. Pray, fight, speak their name. Miracles still happen.”
His message is simple but powerful. In a time when hope is often dismissed as naïve, Ryan Iskerka proved otherwise. His daughter’s return wasn’t just the ending of a long nightmare—it was the beginning of a new chapter built on resilience, love, and the belief that no matter how far apart, family finds a way back to each other.
Conclusion
Kayla Unbehaun’s story is one of those rare headlines that feels like a movie come to life. It reminds us that even in our most hopeless moments, light can shine through. For a father who prayed every day for six long years, that light came in the form of a miracle: the return of his daughter, safe and alive. And for the rest of us, it’s a story we won’t soon forget.
