A pregnant teenage girl from Wisconsin, who had been missing for two months and was the subject of a multi-state search and AMBER Alert, was located by the police in Nebraska.
On Wednesday night, police took 40-year-old Gary F. Day into custody after locating Sophia Franklin, 17, with him in Sarpy County.
On April 2, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska informed the Beaver Dam Police Department in Wisconsin about a tip they received regarding a sighting of the teenager, Sophia, near Omaha around 11:40 p.m.
According to reports from WISN, an over-the-road truck driver spotted Sophia and another person at a Love’s Travel Stop, prompting the driver to call 911 for assistance. Deputies were able to find Sophia and help her reunite with her family.
Day was subsequently arrested.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Sophia was last seen at her home on February 2 at 9 p.m., near 4th and Beaver, in Beaver Dam.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Day, who’s reportedly the father of her unborn child.
Day appeared in court Friday, where he was charged with two counts of transportation of minors and two counts of child enticement causing mental/bodily harm.
“ When law enforcement made contact with the defendant, he provided several fake names,” the prosecution said in court Friday.
Day faces felony charges in Wisconsin and federal charges in Arkansas, his home state. The courts are currently deciding which state will prosecute him first. In a court Friday, Day stated his intention to fight extradition to both states.
This man is a predator,” Sheriff John Staley, of Lonoke County, Arkansas, told WISN 12 News in February. “We’re going to have to figure out how to hold him accountable.”
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Gary Day/Beaver Dam PD]
