Sara Evans and her spouse Jay Barker faced tumultuous times in their relationship, resulting in Barker’s arrest in early 2022. The subsequent reconciliation between the couple, however, has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, as revealed by their daughter Audrey in a candid chat.
The family’s dynamics took a drastic turn when Barker was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault in January 2022. The charge stemmed from an alleged incident where Barker reportedly tried to hit a car carrying Evans. Barker later pleaded down the charge to a misdemeanor reckless endangerment and was placed on probation.
Despite the tumultuous events, Evans and Barker have managed to reconcile and build a new chapter in their relationship. Audrey believes her father’s near loss of his family was a wake-up call. “I feel like him realizing that he potentially lost his entire family made him realize that he has to get his act together,” Audrey says.
According to Audrey, Barker’s demeanor has undergone a significant shift since his return home. She describes it as “a complete switch, like he altered his brain chemistry almost.”
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Sara Evans opened up about the sequence of events on her new podcast, Diving in Deep with Sara Evans. She has also channelled her experiences into her forthcoming album Unbroke, set to release in June. This album marks her return to original music after a gap of seven years.
At the crux of the family’s ordeal were Evans’ children. According to the country star, her children were oblivious to Barker’s behavior and only knew him as a loving father figure.
Amanda Stylianou, a renowned anti-violence expert, sheds light on situations like Evans’. She suggests that many victims of abuse avoid sharing their experiences with their loved ones due to fear of burdening them. However, she affirms that change is possible for those who acknowledge their abusive behavior, take responsibility, and actively seek support.
Evans urges people to give her and Barker the benefit of the doubt. She believes this is the right decision for her family, regardless of potential backlash. “This is very scary because, again, people are going to be mad. [But] I hope that most people will give me the benefit of the doubt and give Jay the benefit of the doubt and just take me at my word that this is the right decision for me,” she told PEOPLE.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The service is toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
