A 40-year-old Arkansas man, Gary F. Day of Cabot, is facing four felony charges in connection with the disappearance of 16-year-old Sophia Franklin from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The teen, who is three months pregnant with Day’s child, is the subject of an active Amber Alert.
Day has been charged with two counts of child abduction and two counts of child enticement. Authorities are urgently searching for Sophia, described as a white female, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 186 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Day is described as a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger stated, “Right now, we don’t know where they are. We are getting tips from all over the place. Our goal is to get her back as quickly as we can and as safely as we can.”
The criminal complaint reveals that Sophia and Day met online in April 2024 and developed a relationship. Despite being aware of consent laws in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arkansas, Day allegedly took Sophia to Arkansas without her parents’ knowledge in July 2024. Sophia’s parents, who had a strained relationship with her, first learned of her whereabouts on December 10, when officers from the Austin Police Department visited Day’s home, told Jsonline.
Sophia’s father reported her disappearance on Sunday after reviewing home surveillance footage that showed a man resembling Day approaching their house at 7:48 a.m. The complaint also details that Day had sent Sophia threatening messages in January, expressing self-harm due to their separation.
Sophia’s parents initially chose not to report her missing in July, believing she was staying with a friend in Beaver Dam and working at McDonald’s. However, they remained in contact with her, unaware she was living with Day in Arkansas.
Day, who is on probation and parole, was previously under investigation for crimes against children. Authorities are working with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Department in Arkansas to locate Sophia.
Anyone with information is urged to call 888-304-3936 or 911. The case highlights the dangers of online relationships and the vulnerabilities of minors in such situations.