Sixteen-year-old Sophia Martin Franklin is currently missing. She is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing 186 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Authorities have reason to believe she may be traveling in a black 2014 Buick LaCrosse bearing Pennsylvania license plate number KGW5186. The driver of the vehicle is identified as 40-year-old Gary Day, who is also known to be the father of Franklin’s unborn child.
Before the summer leading into her junior year of high school, Franklin approached her parents with a request to stay with her best friend’s family. The two girls shared a long-standing close friendship and engaged in various activities together. Franklin argued that living with her friend’s family would be more convenient in terms of time and transportation costs, promising her parents frequent check-ins. Eventually, her parents agreed, understanding how much joy this arrangement would bring her. Franklin made the move in late July, expressing immense happiness.
Meanwhile, Day found himself in a unique circumstance, being four years into a six-year probation period. He was no stranger to surprise visits from his probation officer. In December, during one such visit, Day appeared notably anxious when the officer unexpectedly arrived. To add to the unusual situation, the officer spotted a woman hastily exiting the residence through the back door. Upon apprehending her and initiating an interrogation, it came to light that she was a 16-year-old girl from Wisconsin. The teenager confessed to having been in the company of Day since August, unbeknownst to her family.
Authorities removed Franklin from Day’s home and took her for a medical examination while notifying her family. Her parents were shocked to learn their daughter had been three states away with a predator—and even more appalled to find out she was pregnant. Franklin was returned to Wisconsin as quickly as possible, and her parents took every step to protect her from Day and help her heal
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guest:
Dr. Stacy Vaughan – Vice President of Growth and Prevention at Childhelp; website: www.childhelp.org; Instagram and Facebook: @childhelp; YouTube: @Childhelporg
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photos via Beaver Dam PD]
