An Amber Alert has been issued for a pregnant 16-year-old girl from Wisconsin, who is believed to be with a 40-year-old man suspected to be the father of her unborn child. The Beaver Dam Police Department reported that Sophia Martha Franklin was last seen at her home in Beaver Dam on Sunday, February 2, at 9 p.m. She is believed to be with Gary F. Day, 40, who was seen at her home on Monday, February 3, at 7:48 p.m.
Sophia is three months pregnant and is described as White, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 186 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes. The Amber Alert indicated that a no-contact order is in place for Sophia and Day. Day is described as White, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. The alert also states, “Gary is known to be the father of the unborn child with Sophia.”
Authorities believe the two may be traveling in a Black Buick LaCrosse, which was first reported to have an Arkansas license plate with the number BBR 20L. However, the car was later seen in Wisconsin with a Pennsylvania license plate (KGW5186). The vehicle is still being tracked, and police are continuing their investigation, reported by FOX6 News.
On Tuesday, February 4, an arrest warrant was issued for Day, who has been charged with two counts of child abduction and two counts of child enticement-causing mental/bodily harm. All four charges are felonies. According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Day and Sophia began communicating online in April 2024. Day had traveled to Wisconsin to take Sophia to Arkansas, and police believe the two were in contact again in late January, when Sophia’s parents found a conversation between them.
The Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas has issued a statement saying they have “reason to believe” Day and Sophia are heading towards Austin, Arkansas, where Day has ties. He is reportedly on probation and under investigation for crimes against children, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by TMJ4 News.
Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger spoke about the ongoing search, saying, “We have been getting a lot of tips, and we’re following up on those tips. We thank the public for their help with the tips, and continue to report those tips to us, and then we’ll follow up on those tips. And the goal, at the end, is to bring her home.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and report any information related to Sophia’s whereabouts.