Video of Suspect Released in Disappearance of Pregnant Wisconsin Teen

BEAVER DAM, Wis. (AP) — Authorities are intensifying their search for a missing pregnant teenager from Wisconsin, who is believed to be with a 40-year-old man named Gary Day, the father of her unborn child. The Beaver Dam Police Department issued an Amber Alert for 16-year-old Sophia Franklin on February 4, following her disappearance.

Investigators unveiled new surveillance footage on February 18 that captures Day on the day Franklin went missing, February 3. Police characterized the footage as critical evidence as they work to locate the pair. Day has been charged with multiple offenses, including abduction and child enticement.

According to police, Franklin is three months pregnant and was last seen at her home just prior to her disappearance. The Amber Alert has since been expanded to include multiple states, as authorities believe Day and Franklin have traveled between Wisconsin and Arkansas.

Witnesses describe Sophia Franklin as standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 186 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes. Gary Day is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing around 165 pounds, with blond hair and green eyes.

The vehicle of interest in this case is a black 2014 Buick LaCrosse, which police believe may have Pennsylvania or Arkansas license plates. The Utah police initially identified the vehicle with Arkansas plates, but it was later spotted with Pennsylvania plates in Wisconsin, and authorities revealed that the plate number may have changed to Arizona at one point.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows Day near Franklin’s home at 7:48 a.m. on the day she was last seen. The car was subsequently identified on traffic cameras approximately 45 minutes later, reinforcing the timeline of events leading to her disappearance.

The police have emphasized that Franklin’s parents are not under investigation, and they are cooperating fully with authorities. They stated the situation is considered a criminal matter, and authorities are keen on collecting tips from the public.

Beaver Dam Police have called on anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Sophia Franklin or Gary Day to call the police department at 920-887-4612 or the Amber Alert tip line at 888-304-3936.

The case remains a top priority for law enforcement, with a multi-state search ongoing to locate the missing teenager.