SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who was found guilty earlier this year of sexually abusing a minor, was detained by police on Tuesday and admitted right into a clinic within the Dominican Republic for psychological well being points, in line with authorities.
The request to have him detained and admitted got here from his household, police spokesman Col. Diego Pesqueira instructed The Related Press. He famous that Franco’s admittance into a personal clinic in his hometown of Baní is just not linked to any authorized points.
Final weekend, the 24-year-old participant took to social media to denounce that $16,000 had supposedly been stolen from a resort the place he was staying.
His lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, later mentioned there was confusion over the incident and that the cash was discovered. Franco, nevertheless, rejected his lawyer’s remarks and insisted the cash had been stolen.
In June, Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a minor and was given a two-year suspended sentence.
He had been arrested in 2024 after being accused of getting a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 on the time, and of transferring hundreds of {dollars} to her mom to consent to the illegal relationship.
Franco’s future within the MLB is unknown, though he has mentioned he’s nonetheless coaching.
In November 2021, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract, however his profession was abruptly interrupted in August 2023, when Dominican authorities introduced they have been investigating him..
Franco was arrested once more in November final 12 months following what Dominican authorities referred to as an altercation over a girl’s consideration. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police mentioned was registered to his uncle.
That case remains to be pending in court docket.
Six months after his arrest in 2024, Tampa Bay positioned him on the restricted checklist, which minimize off the pay he had been receiving whereas on administrative go away.
He was positioned on that checklist as a result of he didn’t report back to the workforce and would want a brand new U.S. visa to take action.
