Missing Wisconsin Teen Found After Two-Month Disappearance

A teenage girl from Wisconsin who had been missing for over two months has been found safe in Nebraska, according to an announcement from the Beaver Dam Police Department on Thursday morning.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia Franklin disappeared from the town of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, on February 2. Authorities suspected she was traveling with a 40-year-old man, Gary Day, prompting an Amber Alert that sent shockwaves through the community.

Thanks to a tip from Sarpy County, Nebraska, law enforcement was able to locate Franklin. Beaver Dam Police said officers made contact with a juvenile matching Franklin's description and an adult male identified as Gary Day. Their identities were confirmed, and Day was taken into custody while Franklin was moved to a secure facility to await reunification with her family.

Local reports revealed Franklin was three months pregnant with Day's child at the time of her disappearance. Before the Amber Alert was issued, Franklin had reportedly spent four months in Arkansas with Day, while her family believed she was staying with a friend. Leah Franklin, Sophia's mother, shared with local news that they had been in communication with her daughter during this time, but Day was allegedly manipulating her.

"I do believe that she was brainwashed," Leah Franklin said. "I believe that she was groomed."

Day, who was on probation during this period, now faces charges of child enticement and abduction—serious accusations that paint an unsettling picture of the events leading up to Franklin's disappearance.

The case has sparked renewed conversations about the vulnerabilities of teenagers and the tactics predators use to exploit them. Franklin’s story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, not just from law enforcement but also within communities.