Despite the high-profile charges against Wander Franco, his parents have remained completely silent, offering no public statements as their son faces intense legal cases.
Wander Franco is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop who played for the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Born on March 1, 2001, in Baní, Dominican Republic, he was considered one of the top prospects in baseball before making his MLB debut in 2021.
However, his career has taken a serious turn. In August 2023, Franco was placed on administrative leave amid allegations of inappropriate relationships with underage girls in the Dominican Republic.
By 2024, he was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Most recently, in June 2025, Dominican prosecutors requested a five-year prison sentence for Franco, citing extensive evidence, including financial transactions and communications with the victim’s mother. A verdict in the case is expected soon.
Wander Franco’s Parents Are Tight-Lipped About The Recent Legal Case!
Wander Franco’s parents are Wander Franco Sr. and Nancy Aybar, who currently reside in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Both of them are deeply rooted in baseball culture in the Dominican Republic.
His father, Wander Franco Sr., played minor league baseball in the 1990s and later became a coach and mentor to young players, including his son.
He was instrumental in Wander’s early development, often taking him to games and training sessions.
Nancy Aybar is the sister of former MLB players Erick and Willy Aybar. While not directly involved in baseball, she provided emotional and logistical support throughout Wander’s rise.
The couple reportedly met and became a couple well before Wander’s MLB debut in June 2021.
Given that Wander Jr., their first son, was born in late 2018, and they officially married in 2021.
Together, they raised Wander and his two older brothers, Wander Javier Franco and Wander Alexander Franco, both of whom also pursued professional baseball careers.
As for the recent case, they both maintained a private stance throughout the investigation and trial.
However, Franco himself addressed the court in June 2025, stating, “I hope justice is done.”
Wander Franco Is The Father Of Two Children!
Regarding his marital status, Wander Franco is the father of two sons: Wander Samuel Franco Jr., born in late 2018, and a second son born in 2022.
He is married to Rachelly Paulino, his childhood sweetheart from Baní, Dominican Republic.
The couple tied the knot in 2021, though they had been together for several years prior.
Similarly, as of now, Rachelly Paulino has not made any public statements regarding the legal case involving her husband.
She has remained entirely out of the spotlight, and there’s been no indication of her current activities or public appearances since the allegations surfaced.
Reports suggest that she and Franco had been living together in Tampa, Florida, where he purchased a $1.55 million home in 2023.
However, since the legal proceedings began, she has kept a low profile, and even close relatives have declined to comment on her views or the state of their marriage
In Case You Didn’t Know
- He signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on July 2, 2017, at just 16 years old, earning a $3.85 million signing bonus.
- In 2018, he hit for the cycle with the Princeton Rays and was named Appalachian League Player of the Year, batting .374 with 11 home runs.
- By 2019, he was ranked the No. 1 prospect in baseball, a title he held into 2021.
