In response to the accusatory file prompting the Public Ministry to seek coercive measures against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, an anonymous complaint reached the National Directorate of Children, Adolescents, and Families on July 10, 2023.
The complaint revealed that a teenager expressed her desire to publicize her relationship with Franco due to alleged financial exploitation by her mother.
Accused of violating Article 396 of Law 136-03 regarding psychological abuse towards minors, Franco allegedly abducted the then 14-year-old on December 9, 2022, for two days, engaging in sexual abuse. The file further claims that the relationship continued for four months with the illegal consent of the mother.
Details from the file suggest that Franco paid the minor’s mother 100 thousand pesos to keep silent about the relationship for seven months and bought her a vehicle, enabling the ongoing association.
Next, the teenager, feeling tired and exploited, eventually exposed the situation by sending a message to the National Directorate of Children, Adolescents, and Families.
Additionally, during a raid on the mother’s residence, authorities seized 800 thousand pesos, 68,500 hidden in the house, a 2023 Suzuki Swift vehicle, and a property title worth 2.1 million.
On January 5, 2024, Wander Franco faced a coercive measure hearing at the Palace of Justice in DR.
🇩🇴⚾ | #NOW • Wander Franco Sr. arrives at the Palace of Justice in the city of Puerto Plata where a coercive measure is known against his son accused of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. pic.twitter.com/qxBKww8lzH
— ALERTAS MUNDIAL 🗺️ (@AlertasMundial) January 5, 2024
As news of the allegations spread, fans were shocked and appalled.
Here’s a glimpse of MLB fans’ reactions:
“Put him under the jail.”
Put him under the jail
— Mauricio Rios (@mrios281) January 5, 2024
“Stop calling it a “romantic relationship”, “sexual relation,” or a “relationship.” It’s sexual assault. It’s child rape. Full stop.”
Stop calling it a "romantic relationship", "sexual relations," or a "relationship." It's sexual assault. It's child rape. Full stop.
— SuperDanvers 🐶🗽⚖️⚾️🌊 (@SuperDanversEsq) January 5, 2024
“4-month love relationship with a minor” Rape. That’s statutory rape.”
"4-month love relationship with a minor"
Rape. That's statutory rape.— Negibizer (Noah) (@115wiitoxicNegi) January 5, 2024
“This is so disgusting and so disappointing. It just keeps getting worse. Wander ruined his life forever.”
This is so disgusting and so disappointing. It just keeps getting worse. Wander ruined his life forever.
— BaseballFan (@RaysBaseball36) January 5, 2024
“The fuck? The electric chair they go.”
The fuck? The electric chair they go. https://t.co/XjvGy1V7tY
— Chris G (@Metsochist4Life) January 5, 2024
“I hope the mother also receives a full investigation. This is a sad story of the rich abusing the poor which is all too common.”
I hope the mother also receives a full investigation. This is a sad story of the rich abusing the poor which is all too common.
— Lions Roman 🇵🇸 (@Lions416) January 5, 2024
“You sick bastard.”
— False Larry (@fauxlarry1) January 5, 2024
“He needs to be executed.”
He needs to be executed
— GhostBayAreaBobsDaughter (@GhostbayAreaKid) January 5, 2024
“When you thought it couldn’t get worse!! Fry his ass.”
When you thought it couldn’t get worse!! 🤦🏻♂️
Fry his ass
— #1 BS Klutcherov 🐐 (@Tampafan86) January 5, 2024
“He’s a pedophile, including a child rapist, and her mother is a sex trafficker.”
According to the forensic doctor, evidence of ‘defloration’ in the minor, have been attributed to Wander Franco.
The prosecutor on duty, Judge Michael Nez Gil, followed protocol and requested that the underage girl would be tested by forensic experts.
Dr. Maryori Yaquiris Taveras Martnez, a forensic gynecologist, performed a medical examination on the minor and discovered symptoms of “old defloration” in her genitals and perigenital area.
As per the latest developments, the father of the underage girl, Mr. William Reyes Gonzalez, who was previously unaware of the scandal, has complained against Wander Franco now. He has recently submitted a complaint through his attorney, Dignora Dilone Cruz.
The father of the minor involved in the Wander Franco's case files a complaint against the Rays player.
The minor's father is complaining against the baseball player Wander Franco, Mr. William Reyes González has just filed a complaint through his lawyer Dignora Dilone Cruz, per… pic.twitter.com/IQYOLRiQys— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) January 5, 2024
According to a lawyer, Alfonso Crisóstomo, the mother of the minor in the Wander Franco case might face up to 20 years in jail.
🇩🇴⚾ | Mother of the minor in the Wander Franco case could receive up to 20 years in prison, according to a lawyer.
Lawyer Alfonso Crisóstomo, “El Querido”, explained this Friday that the accusation made by the Attorney General's Office against the mother of the minor,… pic.twitter.com/vWSonqVtAh
— ALERTAS MUNDIAL 🗺️ (@AlertasMundial) January 5, 2024
Wander Franco was placed on the Rays’ restricted list on August 13 as investigations began into an alleged involvement with a minor girl.
Next, Major League Baseball placed Franco on indefinite administrative leave.
The Rays returned Franco to the 40-man roster after the end of the 2023 season, as administrative leave is only permitted during the season.
The outcome of the ongoing court case will determine Wander Franco’s status for the 2024 season.
