Amber Alert issued for pregnant teen missing out of Beaver Dam
Updated: Feb. 18, 2025
BEAVER DAM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Beaver Dam Police Department has released brief surveillance footage showing Gary Day, the suspect involved in the Amber Alert involving missing pregnant 16-year-old Sophia Franklin: The footage was reportedly taken the day the Amber Alert was issued.
They have also released new photographs of Franklin, to help the public better identify her, as well as two photos of Day.
Updated: Feb. 13, 2025
BEAVER DAM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Amber Alert for pregnant 16-year-old Sophia Franklin has been extended to Missouri.
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sophia and suspect Gary Francis Day may be traveling through Missouri to an unknown destination in Arkansas.
Officials say the suspect is known to use multiple license plates, including Arkansas BBR20L and Pennsylvania KGW5186.
Anyone who sees the victim, suspect, or vehicle should immediately dial 911.
Updated: Feb. 12, 2025
BEAVER DAM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Family of the pregnant 16-year-old girl missing out of Beaver Dam say Sophia Franklin needs to come home and continue with medical care for herself and her baby.
They say she is wearing glasses, does not look pregnant right now, has been dealing with hives on her arms, legs, and face, and has been wearing a rose gold ring with a pink, heart-shaped gem on her left hand.
She's been struggling with morning sickness and her eye makes an involuntary movement when she chews.
They also provided a recent photo they say was taken on Feb. 1.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Beaver Dam police at 888-304-3936.
Updated: Feb. 4, 2025
BEAVER DAM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An Amber Alert remains active for a 16-year-old girl from Dodge County. Police say Sophia Franklin was last seen at her Beaver Dam home at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb 2. She is believed to be with 40-year-old Gary Day from Arkansas.
The sheriff of Lonoke County, Arkansas tells CBS 58, Day likely picked up Franklin from her home on Monday, Feb. 3, with plans to head back to Arkansas.
Franklin is three months pregnant, and Day is believed to be the father.
"Gary Day went to Wisconsin, picked her up, and brought her back, and they had studied what laws in each state," said Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley.
Sheriff Staley says Day is on felony probation out of Arkansas for domestic battery charges.
In December, Staley says probation officers went to Day's home for a check and found him with Franklin.
"When they went to check on him, somebody ran out the back door, and that turned out to be a 16-year-old female from Wisconsin," said Staley.
Franklin was brought back to Beaver Dam, and a no-contact order was issued. But Day could only be arrested for interference with custody, because the game of consent in Arkansas is 16 years old.
"It's an antiquated law, rule. We're gonna work on changing that. I'm going to work with some of our legislators, reach out to them and let them know that's something we probably should change, especially with all the trafficking and issues that we have," Staley said.
Day has since bonded out, and Sheriff Staley believes Day picked Franklin up again -- causing the Amber Alert.
"We believe that he's headed back to Arkansas, is the best information I have right now," said Staley.
Staley says the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office is working with Arkansas State Police and Wisconsin police to locate Day.
"We're using methods to track him, and hopefully we'll be able to pinpoint where he's at sooner than later," said Staley.
Staley says Franklin and Day met online.
Franklin's mother declined to go on camera but told CBS 58, "We miss Sophie and we want her home."
Franklin is described as a white female, 5'9" tall, 186 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Day is described as a white male, standing 5'7", 165 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes.
Police say they may be in a black Buick LaCrosse with Pennsylvania license plate KGW5186. It was previously released the pair were traveling in a black Buick with AR license plate BBR 20L.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Beaver Dam police at 888-304-3936.
(Stock photo of Buick LaCrosse)
Published: Feb. 3, 2025
BEAVER DAM, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An Amber Alert has been issued for a pregnant teenager missing out of Beaver Dam.
Police say 16-year-old Sophia Franklin was last seen at her home at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. She is believed to be with 40-year-old Gary Day, who was last seen at her home around 7:48 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3.
Officials say Sophia is three months pregnant, and there is a no contact order for Gary and Sophia.
Sophia is described as a white female, 5'9" tall, 186 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Gary is described as a white male, standing 5'7", 165 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes.
Police say they may be in a black Buick LaCrosse with the AR license plate BBR 20L. They are likely headed south.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Beaver Dam police at 888-304-3936.
