Currently, there is an ongoing AMBER Alert for 16-year-old Sophia Martin Franklin in Arkansas, which is over 700 miles away from her hometown of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Sophia is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 186 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She has been missing for a week and is thought to be traveling in a black 2014 Buick LaCrosse with Pennsylvania license plate number KGW5186. Authorities have identified 40-year-old Gary Day as the abductor, who is also revealed to be the father of Sophia’s unborn child.
In the summer before her junior year, Sophia requested permission from her parents to stay with her best friend’s family. The girls shared a strong bond and were inseparable. Sophia convinced her parents that staying with her friend’s family would be more convenient in terms of time and transportation, assuring them she would keep in touch regularly. Eventually, her parents relented, wanting to see her happy. By late July, Sophia had relocated and reported that she was enjoying herself immensely.
Meanwhile, Day was four years into a six-year probation sentence and accustomed to surprise visits from his probation officer. But in December, he appeared unusually nervous during an unannounced check. The officer spotted someone running out the back door and chased her down. After intense questioning, the girl admitted she was 16 years old, from Wisconsin, and had been with Day since August. Her family had no idea.
Authorities removed Sophia from Day’s home and took her for a medical examination before contacting her parents. They were shocked to learn their daughter had been three states away with a predator—and even more appalled to discover she was pregnant.
Sophia was returned to Wisconsin as quickly as possible. 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 Fam PD
