Amber Alert: Beaver Dam pregnant teen missing, man charged

BEAVER DAM, Wis. - An Arkansas man who police believe is with a missing and pregnant 16-year-old Beaver Dam girl is now charged with child abduction and child enticement, according to court records.

Pregnant teen missing

The backstory:

Sophia Franklin, 16, 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. At that time, it is believed Franklin left with Day.

Police described Franklin as 5-foot-9 and around 186 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. Police described day as 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds with gren eyes and blonde hair.

Suspect vehicle in Amber Alert for Sophia Franklin (Courtesy: BDPD)

Investigators said Day is driving a black 2014 Buick La Crosse. The two are believed to be driving south and no longer in Beaver Dam. Police said the vehicle has been spotted with two different license plates: Arkansas plates BBR 20L and Pennsylvania plates KGW 5186. Police believe Day is switching the license plates to avoid law enforcement.

What you can do:

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department at 888-304-3936 or 911.

More than 25 Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation agents are working alongside Beaver Dam police officers in what has been described as an "all hands on deck" effort.

"We have been getting a lot of tips, and we’re following up on those tips," Beaver Dam Police Chief John Kreuziger said. "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."

Arkansas man charged

Dig deeper:

Court records show Day was charged in Dodge County on Tuesday 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.

FOX6 News reached out to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. A spokesperson said any information would have to come from a court order.