Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement with a minor, according to an official from the Puerto Plata province prosecutor's office.
Franco, accompanied by two lawyers, appeared before prosecutors for an approximately three-hour interview. Earlier, he had failed to meet with prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías.
Police Arrest MLB Star Amid Investigation Regarding Alleged Relationship With Minor
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Authorities visited two of Franco's properties in Bani on December 26 to request his appearance, but he was not present at either residence. Two days later, Llaverías requested Franco's appearance.
Due to the involvement of a minor, limited details about the case have been disclosed, and Dominican law requires Franco to be brought before a judge within 24 hours.
The investigation into Franco stems from alleged social media posts suggesting a romantic relationship with a minor, as stated by the Dominican Republic's prosecutors' office on August 14.
The interview with prosecutors lasted nearly three hours, and Franco's attorneys in the Dominican Republic have not been reachable for comment.
Franco, a 22-year-old All-Star player, was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball (MLB) in August under its joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse with the players' association.
He continued to receive pay and service time during his administrative leave. MLB's investigation is ongoing, with no set timeline for its conclusion or potential disciplinary actions.
Franco's U.S. attorney, Jay Reisinger, declined to comment on the situation.
On August 14, the Rays placed Franco on the restricted list, and MLB subsequently put him on administrative leave on August 23. Franco's last game of the 2023 season was on August 12.
The initial complaint about Franco's alleged inappropriate relationship was filed on July 17, predating the public social media allegations.
ESPN reported on August 30 that a second underage girl accused Franco of a similar relationship, with authorities probing a potential third case. The age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18.
Franco, 22, concluded his third MLB season in 2023 with his first All-Star selection, achieving a .281/.344/.475 slash line, 17 home runs, 58 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 112 games before his season ended abruptly in August. The Rays were eliminated in the first round of the 2023 postseason by the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers.
The arrest and investigation have added a layer of complexity to Franco's status in the MLB, and the outcome of the investigation will determine any further actions or penalties imposed by the league.
