BREAKING: Sara Evans’ Husband Jay Barker Issues Statement Following Arrest

Sara Evans’ estranged husband, Jay Barker, has broken his silence on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 16), just one day after being arrested in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Barker, the co-host of Tide 100.9 FM’s The Jay Barker Show in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, issued a statement via the show’s Instagram account.

“I am humbled beyond words by the support I have received from friends, supporters and so many in the Alabama family,” Barker began. “To all of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“We all confront challenges in life and my family and I are facing one now. Unfortunately, headlines and quick-to-publish news stories do not adequately capture the full context and complex fabric of our lives,” he continued. “I love my family dearly and at this difficult time, I respectfully ask for privacy for the sake of my family and especially our kids. In gratitude, Jay Barker.”

The former quarterback concluded his statement by quoting the Bible verse, Romans 8:28, “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.”

Barker was arrested and charged with felony assault.

Evans and Barker are not currently living together. 

According to an affidavit obtained by CBS42, Evans was heading home from a gathering at her neighbor’s house in the passenger side of a friend’s car to ride across the street to her house. The report states that when they were passing the driveway, Barker was “reversing his vehicle at a high rate of speed attempting to hit them, but missed.” 

Evans reportedly contacted police after the incident when Barker allegedly drove away. Police say Barker later returned to speak with them prior to issuing a warrant for his arrest.

The “A Little Bit Stronger” singer and the unnamed witness claim that Barker was intentionally trying to hit them.

According to public records, Barker, the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, whose real name is Harry Jerome Barker, was booked into the Davidson County Jail at 4:52 a.m. on Saturday morning and was placed on a 12-hour hold for domestic violence.

Barker was released from the jail just before 7:30 p.m. after posting a $10,000 bond.

No additional details about his arrest have been revealed, however, Barker is scheduled to appear in court on March 22 to settle the case. 

Barker’s arrest comes five months after Evans reportedly filed for divorce, according to documents obtained by Scoop Nashville. 

The court records show that Evans cited “irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct,” making the continuation of their marriage both “impossible and impractical.”

Court records indicate that Barker has not responded to the divorce filing nor has he participated in court proceedings.

In December, Evans requested that a Nashville judge grant the divorce according to the terms of their binding Antenuptial Agreement, which was signed in 2008 and states that both parties would exit the marriage as they came, with no additional monies or assets granted to either party upon divorce, and removing either party from any asset claims or distribution upon the death of either party if a divorce occurred.

The agreement also states that the “actual reasons for divorce shall be kept private to the extent possible” and “neither party will discuss or reveal the terms of the agreement, and the terms and conditions shall remain confidential.”

Evans’ request to have the divorce finalized due to Barker’s failure to respond or participate in court proceedings is pending a final hearing date.

Evans and Barker were initially introduced by a mutual friend. They were both going through divorces and bonded over their similar life situations. The pair tied the knot on a farm just outside of Nashville on June 14, 2008. 

Evans was previously married to Craig Schelske, and went through a very public breakup and divorce beginning in the fall of 2006 when she was a competitor on Dancing With The Stars. At the time, she withdrew herself from the competition to focus on her family.