Ex-Yankees closer John Wetteland arrested on child sexual abuse charge
DENTON, Texas (WABC) -- Former New York Yankees all-star closer and World Series MVP John Wetteland was arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14.
Wetteland, of Trophy Club, Texas, was booked and released on $25,000 bond, according to WFAA.
The case was being investigated by the Denton County Sheriff's Department.
Bartonville Police Chief Bobby Dowell said the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services contacted his office last week. After an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Wetteland, who was taken into custody by Denton County sheriff's deputies.
Dowell said that because of the nature of the offense and the stage of the investigation, he had no further details to release. DFPS spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales said details of the agency's cases are confidential.
According to a consolidated complaint and probable cause affidavit, Wetteland is accused of having a child perform a sex act on him, beginning in 2004 when the child was 4. The accuser said it happened twice more during a two-year period.
Wetteland, 52, was traded to the Yankees in 1995. During the 1996 season, he led the American League with 43 saves and pitched in the All-Star Game.
He also closed out all four World Series wins as the Yankees beat the Braves in six games, earning the World Series MVP.
The emergence of Mariano Rivera allowed the Yankees to let Wetteland leave as a free agent, and he signed with the Texas Rangers prior to the 1997 season. He would finish his career in Arlington, retiring as the Rangers all-time saves leader.
Wetteland also pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he began his career, and the Montreal Expos.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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