Father of Alleged Victim Wants Charges Dropped in Wander Franco Case

— The father of the minor involved in the sexual abuse case against MLB player Wander Franco plans to petition the court for a dismissal of the charges, according to his attorney, Dignora Diloné. The court hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed until September 26 due to the defense's late notification regarding crucial audiovisual evidence. This evidence is deemed essential for Franco's defense and that of Martha Vanessa Chevalier, the alleged victim's mother, who faces charges of trafficking, sexual exploitation, and money laundering. William Reyes González, the father of the alleged victim, is a civil party in the case and has expressed intentions to seek dismissal based on insufficient evidence. Diloné emphasized that González views Franco as a promising talent in Dominican baseball and has consistently advocated against imprisonment. González has reportedly communicated to his legal team that his daughter indicated there was no intimate relationship with Franco, asserting that their interaction was limited to a photograph typical of celebrity encounters. Franco faces serious allegations, including sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, commercial sexual exploitation, and money laundering. The case will proceed once prosecutors present their evidence, allowing the defense to respond, after which a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Additionally, it has been reported that Franco's mother acted as a middleman in financial transactions linked to the case, raising questions about the source of the funds involved. If convicted, Franco could face up to 20 years in prison.