ALERT: MISSING PREGNANT GIRL WITH 40-YEAR-OLD SEX PREDATOR

Tonight, there is an active Amber Alert for 16-year-old Sophia Martin Franklin in Arkansas, more than 700 miles from her home in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Sophia is 5’9”, 186 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. The teenager, now missing a week, is believed to be travelling in a black 2014 Buick Lacrosse with Pennsylvania plate number KGW5186. The driver is 40-year-old abductor, Gary Day, the father of Sophia’s unborn child, but how did Franklin come to be with Day? 

The summer before Sophia’s junior year of high school, Sophia asks her parents if it would be okay if she stays with her best friend’s family. The girls have been close for years and do everything together. Sophia makes a lot of good points about saving time and gas, and promises to check in frequently, so her parents eventually agree, knowing how happy it would make their daughter. Sophia makes the move in late July and says she’s having the time of her life! 

Meanwhile, Gary Day is four years into a 6-year probation sentence and is used to surprise visits from his probation officer, but in December, the 40-year-old seems extremely nervous when the officer stops by. The supervisor also catches a glimpse of a woman running out the back door! He immediately chases her down and after an intense line of questioning—gets out that she is just 16-years-old and from Wisconsin! The teen admits she’s been with Day since August, and her family has no idea.  

Sophia Franklin is removed from Day’s home and taken for a medical examination while authorities contact her family. Her parents are shocked and horrified to learn their daughter has been three states away with a predator this whole time—and even more appalled to learn she’s pregnant. Sophia is returned to Wisconsin as quickly as possible, and her parents take every step possible to protect her from Day and help their daughter heal.  

Joining Nancy Grace today:

• Darryl Cohen  - Former Assistant District Attorney,  Former Assistant State Attorney, Defense Attorney, Cohen, Cooper, Estep, & Allen, LLC, CCEAlaw.com, Facebook: "Darryl B Cohen", Twitter: @DarrylBCohen
• Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker,"  featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock www.drbethanymarshall.com/ , Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive
• Brian Fitzgibbons  -  Director of Operations for USPA Nationwide Security,  www.uspasecurity.com, Instagram: @uspa_nationwide_security, 
• Dr. Stacy Vaughan  -  Vice President of Growth and Prevention at Childhelp; website: www.childhelp.org; Instagram and Facebook: @childhelp; YouTube: @Childhelporg
• Alexis Tereszcuk  - Crime Online investigative reporter 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.