Ex-MLB player Craig Monroe, 47, accused of sexually abusing 12-year-old girl and later 'prostituting' her to friends after she turned 18

Former Detroit Tigers outfielder Craig Monroe has been accused of abusing a 12-year-old girl decades earlier and later 'prostituting' her to his friends after she turned 18. 

The accuser, who remains anonymous, made the accusations to police, on social media, and with Detroit's Fox affiliate.

Now a Tigers analyst, Monroe has been removed from the team's broadcasts, according to a statement by Bally Sports Detroit.

'Bally Sports Detroit and the Tigers are aware of the social media allegations and take them seriously,' the statement began. 'As previously stated, Mr. Monroe has not been on the broadcast schedule and that will continue on an indefinite basis. We will have no further comment and any questions should be directed to Mr. Monroe.'

The alleged abuse took place when Monroe was in his early 20s. The accuser claims her family hosted Monroe during his minor league days in Charlotte County, Florida in the early 2000s. 

Monroe's page on MiLB.com's website lists him as a member of the Single-A Charlotte Rangers of the Florida State League in 1997, 1998 and 1999. 

Monroe allegedly began sneaking into her room to fondle the girl and ultimately had intercourse with her when she was 15. Later, after she turned 18, the two were in an ongoing consensual sexual relationship, but as she told Detroit's Fox 2, Monroe would also 'prostitute' her to his friends.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has opened an investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Monroe has been a Tigers broadcaster since 2012.

His accuser told Fox 2 that she delayed making her allegations publicly due to concern for her family.

Monroe did not respond to Fox 2's requests for comment.

In her social media post, the accuser claimed she has reached out to Fox 2 News Detroit, Bally Sports, and the Tigers, adding that she has 'gotten no response.'

'I am writing this letter to inform you that Craig Monroe is not the man you think he is. He is in fact quote opposite (sic). He is a pedophile. A child molester, a manipulator, and a lair.'

The woman described being woken by Monroe in her bedroom when she was just 12. Although it started with him fondling her, she claimed, the abuse soon escalated to oral sex and intercourse.

She also claims he would fly her to visit him on the road during his MLB days.

'When he got into major league ball he would fly me to visit, and have a ''party'' in which I would ''entertain'' his friends, him, or both. In return he would always take me shopping or give me money. This continued up until my adult life..'

She explained she moved to Detroit in 2011 to live with Monroe, who she said once gave her $1,000 to have sex with 'this old white man who was crippled in a wheelchair.'

The accuser went on to name other former Tigers players, whom she says were complicit.

The social media post ended with the woman revealing she is 'in therapy and speaking of this trauma and trying to work through it.'

Born in Texarkana, Texas, Monroe was taken by the Rangers in the eighth round of the 1995 MLB Draft.

Although he would make his debut with Texas in 2001, he would ultimately be claimed off waivers by the Tigers, for whom he spent the bulk of his eight-year career.

Monroe was a member of the 2006 Detroit Tigers, who fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. After hitting 28 home runs during the regular season, Monroe bashed six more during Detroit's postseason run.

He later called it quits after a brief stint with the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates.