Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces lesser charge of sexual abuse of a minor
Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.
![Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces lesser charge of sexual abuse of a minor](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7078497.1704819632!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/franco-wander-230702-1180.jpg)
![If found guilty on a new charge of sexual abuse and psychological abuse of a minor, the Rays' Wander Franco could face between two to five years in prison. Tampa Bay Rays baseball player bows head as he walks toward team's dugout during major league game in July 2023.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7078497.1704819632!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/franco-wander-230702-1180.jpg)
Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.