water safety

Prosecutors also say Franco paid the girl’s mother thousands of dollars to consent to the relationship, which lasted four months.

Franco is accused of committing sexual and psychological abuse of the minor. The deadline to press charges was July 5, but Dominican Republic law allows a judge to grant an extra 10 days for prosecutors to present their conclusions.

The report finds 109 children with autism drowned in Florida between January 2012 and April 2024.

Safe Kids Worldwide says 973 children under age 19 drowned in the U.S. in 2021. So before you head to the beach or pool, spend some time going over procedures and tips to keep children safe.

The Tampa Parks and Recreation Department took part in the 15th annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson at four city pools.

Florida water safety experts discuss efforts to ramp up swimming instruction to decrease drowning incidents, especially in minority communities.

Life jackets worn at all times would lessen possible tragedy, officials say. Alcohol or drug use played a role in 23% of fatalities last year, which is up 10% from 2022.

Tampa Bay’s All-Star shortstop has not played since Aug. 12 while MLB continues its investigation into an alleged relationship with a minor.

Franco, who has a $2 million salary this year, remained in his native Dominican Republic while authorities there investigate.

Franco was originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation, and money laundering, following the investigation he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. He has not been formally accused.

A judge in the Dominican Republic has ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. He is still facing allegations that he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to court documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in jail for now after being detained on Monday in Puerto Plata, where the alleged act occurred.