Ill. girl now missing for one year, possibly in Athens

ATLANTA - Thursday marked one year since a 10-year-old girl went missing in Illinois, and authorities think she could be in Georgia. 

On July 5, 2017, Kayla Unbehaun was allegedly abducted by her mother, Heather Unbehaun, who's from Elgin, Illinois. 

Ahead of Kayla's disappearance, her parents had previously worked out weekly visitations. Kayla's mother was watching her during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Then, when her father, Ryan Iserka, went to pick his daughter up, they weren't there. Investigators said Iserka found out they had packed up and left their Illinois home. A nationwide search has been underway ever since.

Unbehaun, who's charged with felony kidnapping, has ties to Athens, Georgia. Back in January, Athens-Clarke County Police said they have had several reported sightings of the fugitive and her daughter.

RELATED: Missing Illinois girl, mother may be in NE Georgia

"There are a lot of people that love her and everyone wants to see her and spend time with her," Iserka told Angeline Hartmann with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). "I don't want to take her mother away from her. I want her to grow up happy and have a life with everyone who loves her." 

Iserka spoke with Hartmann last month to discuss his desperate search to find his little girl. 

“There is a common misconception that when a child is taken by a parent, there is no danger involved. But these custodial situations are emotional and very unpredictable," Hartmann told FOX 5 News. "Kayla’s Mom is charged with kidnapping and we need the public’s help to find her. We’re hoping that your viewers can help bring Kayla home.”

Kayla is described as 4'4" and weight 60 pounds. She has sandy brown hair and blue eyes. Her mother is 5'3" and weighs around 135 pounds. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST, or South Elgin Police at 630-232-4739.