In a surprising turn of events, a truck driver unknowingly found himself in the middle of an Amber Alert case at a Nebraska truck stop. On April 3, a Love’s in Sarpy County became the scene where a missing 17-year-old pregnant teenager, Sophia Franklin, along with the 40-year-old father of her unborn child, Gary Day, were spotted.
The discovery: A truck stop clerk noticed the teen and Day speaking with a truck driver and, finding their behavior strange, decided to investigate further. Her suspicions led her to check recent Amber Alerts, resulting in a call to the police, as reported by FOX 11 News.
What happened next: When police arrived, Day initially gave a false name and had changed his appearance by growing a beard. He was taken into custody without incident, and Franklin was taken to a hospital for a check-up. Thankfully, both Franklin and her unborn baby were reported to be in good health.
- Her parents were informed and planned to travel to Nebraska for a reunion with their daughter.
- The truck driver, who had been speaking with the pair, was not aware of their situation and faced no charges.
The legal side: Day has pleaded not guilty to charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing a false name. He will face additional charges in Vermont and Indiana related to exploitation cases.
The case is set for a follow-up in court on April 4, bringing a timely intervention to an alarming situation and a safe return for the young mother-to-be.