Tampa Rays' Wander Franco Charged With Sexual Abuse Of Teen: Reports

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — Accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has officially been charged in the Dominican Republic, media reports say.

Franco, 23, was formally charged Tuesday on suspicion of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, ESPN reported. The initial deadline to charge Franco was Friday, the report said.

The 2023 All-Star first began being investigated on July 10, 2023 after being accused of engaging in sexual relations with the teenage girl, ESPN reported.

The girl's mother was indicted and remains on house arrest after prosecutors said she received thousands of dollars from Franco in exchange for her consent to have a relationship with her daughter, the Associated Press reported. The suspected relationship spanned four months, the news outlet reported.

According to ESPN, the suspected relationship originated in December 2022.

Franco is currently on administrative leave from the Major Baseball League through July 14, according to the MLB's Rays Up and his MLB player profile.

"Placement on administrative leave is not considered punitive. Under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy collectively bargained by MLB and the MLB (Players Association), players on administrative leave continue to receive their salary and Major League service while they are removed from the roster. The club continued to pay Franco his $2 million salary last season, part of the 11-year, $182 million guaranteed extension he signed following the 2021 season," Rays Up wrote.

Franco attorney Jay Reisinger told the Associated Press he was unable to comment due to Franco not formally receiving notification of charges.