Tigers announcer Craig Monroe taken off air as Florida sheriff’s office investigates sexual abuse allegations

Detroit Tigers television analyst Craig Monroe is under investigation by the Charlotte County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office after a woman alleged on social media last month that he sexually abused her when he was a minor league player and she was a 12-year-old child, according to Tony Paul of the Detroit News.

The woman, now 35, claimed the abuse began when Monroe moved in with his family during his minor league playing days. It was common for players, especially in the lower minor leagues, to have “host families.” She later deleted her post before more recently reposting the allegations. (The woman has also since spoken to WJBK-TV, or Detroit’s FOX 2, but readers should be warned that she shared disturbing details about the alleged abuse.)

Monroe, who had a freelance contract that paid him by the game, has not appeared on a Tigers broadcast since June 9. According to the Detroit News, Monroe was preparing to commentate a game on June 11 when Bally Sports Detroit sent him home immediately after learning of the allegations.

“Bally Sports Detroit and the Tigers are aware of the allegations on social media and take them seriously,” the Tigers and Bally Sports Detroit said in a statement to The Detroit News. “As previously stated, Mr. Monroe has not been on the air and this will continue indefinitely. We will have no further comment and any questions should be directed to Mr. Monroe.”

Bally Sports Detroit previously released a statement saying Monroe was absent from the booth because he was “dealing with a personal matter.”

Monroe, 47, played in the major leagues from 2001 to 2009 with five different organizations, including the Tigers, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins.