A 16-year-old pregnant girl from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, has been reported missing after she was believed to have run away with a 40-year-old man who is suspected to be the father of her unborn child.
An Amber Alert has been issued for Sophia Martha Franklin, who was last seen at her home at 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
According to the Beaver Dam Police Department, Sophia is believed to be with Gary F. Day, 40, who was seen at her home on Monday, February 3, at 7:48 p.m.
Authorities believe the pair may be travelling in a Black Buick LaCrosse with an Arkansas license plate, although a later update stated that the car was seen in Wisconsin with a Pennsylvania plate.
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Sophia, who is three months pregnant, is described as a white female standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighing 186 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes.
Day is also white, with blonde hair and green eyes, and stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds. Police say there is a no-contact order between Day and Sophia.
Day has already been charged with two counts of child abduction and two counts of child enticement-causing mental and bodily harm, all felony charges. An arrest warrant for him was issued on February 4, 2025.
Court filings show that Sophia and Day began communicating online in April 2024, and Day had travelled to Wisconsin to take Sophia to Arkansas.
After returning to Wisconsin, Sophia’s parents discovered online conversations in late January, which led investigators to believe the two were still in contact.
The investigation has now shifted to Austin, Arkansas, where Day has ties. Police believe that Sophia and Day may be heading there, and the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas has reason to believe they are en route.
Day is reportedly under investigation for other crimes against children.
Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger has urged the public to report any tips to help locate Sophia. “The goal, at the end, is to bring her home,” he said, as investigators continue to follow up on leads.
