Arkansas man accused of kidnapping and rape of pregnant Wisconsin teen pleads not guilty

DODGE COUNTY, Wis. – An Arkansas man accused in the kidnapping and rape of a teen made a court appearance in Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Gary Day is facing charges related to the kidnapping and rape of 16-year-old Sophia Franklin after she ran away from her Wisconsin home in February. Franklin was three months pregnant with 40-year-old Day’s child at the time.

Day and Franklin were apprehended by police in Nebraska in April, following a multi-state search by law enforcement. Day was extradited to Wisconsin, where he is facing charges of transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, use of a computer to engage in criminal sexual activity, and production and possession of child pornography.

Day pleaded not guilty during his brief Tuesday court appearance and was assigned a trial date of 8:15 a.m. on October 7. His attorney requested more than the usual 30 days due to the significant amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed.

According to Wisconsin court records from his initial appearance, a judge during a hearing ordered Day to have no contact with the teen, her family or any minors. He is currently held in jail.