Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a Chad Ruhwedel Jersey minor in the Dominican Republic with a 14-year-old girl, . Franco, 23, has been on administrative leave since the allegations came to light on social media last August when photos of the Rays infielder and the girl surfaced. The girls mother was also included in Tuesdays indictment, according to the A sociated Pre s. Wander Franco was formally charged in the case. AP Franco is alleged to have paid the woman thousands of dollars to consent to the four-month relationship, the AP reported. He last played for the Rays on Aug. 12, and he was placed on administrative leave shortly after the disturbing accusations surfaced. Explore More Franco was at the start of this MLB season. The formal complaint was initially filed on July 10, 2023, and prosecutors had until last Friday to pre s charges against Franco, but Dominican Republic law allows for a judge to grant an extra 10 days for the prosecution to present their conclusions, according to the AP. Franco had been summoned to speak with Dominican authorities in December but failed to show up for a face-to-face sitdown with the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Children and Adolescents. Wander Franco has not played since last summer. ZUMAPRESS.com That prompted his arrest on Jan 1. for failing to appear, though he was released a week later. As part of the condition of his release, he was required to make mandatory check-ins in the Dominican Republic on the 30th of every month. Accusations of money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation were dismi sed in January when Franco was released, and he was instead accused of sexual and psychological abuse, . Wander Franco was played on administrative leave last year. AP Authorities accused Franco of taking the minor away from her home in Puerto Plata in December 2022 and having a four-month relationship with her with consent from the girls mother, the A sociated Pre s reported in January. Franco, an American League All-Star last year, in 2021. MLB has continued its own investigation into Francos alleged relationship, but ESPN reported that it will not likely be concluded until the criminal case comes to an end. Alex Belzile Jersey