BEAVER DAM, Wis. – The Amber Alert for 16-year-old Sophia Franklin of Beaver Dam has been canceled. Police say she has been found safe near Omaha, Nebraska. An Arkansas man who was with the missing and pregnant teen, Gary Day, has been taken into custody.
Found safe
Timeline:
The Beaver Dam Police Department was notified on Wednesday, April 2, around 11:40 p.m. that deputies in Nebraska responded to a tip of a possible sighting of Sophia Franklin near Omaha.
Law enforcement made contact with Franklin, who was with Gary Day. Franklin was taken to a secure facility to await reunification with her family. Day was taken into custody.
Tip call
What we know:
The Beaver Dam police chief tells FOX6 News that Day and Franklin were at a truck stop with a man who gave them a ride when the tip was reported.
According to the chief, while Day and Franklin were at the truck stop, another truck pulled up with a man and a woman inside. The man and woman said they saw a pregnant girl with two men and didn’t feel right.
The two talked with Sophia briefly before going back and comparing pictures of Day to what he looked like in-person, then reported it to 911.
What they’re saying:
“The Beaver Dam Police Department would like to thank the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the numerous other law enforcement agencies that put forth the time and effort to locate Sophia. We would also like to thank the community members in multiple states for their awareness and willingness to share leads to follow to help bring Sophia safely home,” Beaver Dam police said.
Missing pregnant teenager
The backstory:
An Amber Alert was issued for Sophia Franklin, 16, after she was last seen at her home on Sunday night, Feb. 2. She is three months pregnant, and 40-year-old Gary Day is known to be the father.
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Day was last seen at Franklin’s home on Monday morning, Feb. 3. At that time, it is believed Franklin left with Day.
Arkansas man charged
What we know:
Court records show Gary Day was charged in Dodge County with two counts of child abduction and two counts of child enticement. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Court filings state Franklin’s parents tried to restrict her internet access and prevent her from talking to strangers online, but she continued to gain access.
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A criminal complaint states Franklin and Day began talking online in April 2024. Day came to Wisconsin, picked up Franklin and took her to Arkansas. She was thought to still be in the Beaver Dam area for months until police in Arkansas found her. She returned home last year.
Then, court filings state Franklin’s parents came across a conversation in late January while using a computer. Investigators believe that conversation was between Franklin and Day, and there was a fight.
There was also mention that Day was on probation in Arkansas for an abuse conviction, and said he stayed out past curfew and that his ankle monitor was flashing.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Beaver Dam Police Department.
