Sara Evans’ tumultuous divorces have been marred by incidents that transcended typical celebrity breakups, showcasing the darker and more challenging aspects of ending a marriage. Her divorce from Jay Barker took a shocking turn when he was arrested in Nashville for allegedly attempting to hit the car Evans was traveling in, leading to charges of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. This incident unfolded in January 2022, adding a layer of drama to their already strained relationship. Barker later entered a plea deal of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor, in June 2022.
However, it was Evans’ first divorce from Craig Schelske that truly became a tabloid spectacle, involving accusations of infidelity, inappropriate porn usage, substance misuse, and disturbing behavior. The divorce filing from Evans in October 2006 listed a myriad of reasons, including Schelske watching porn with their children in the house and allegations of harassment and mental abuse.
One of the most unsettling accusations was that Schelske often watched porn with their kids in the house, reaching a point where their 7-year-old son confronted him about it. Evans also accused Schelske of maintaining explicit images of himself and engaging in affairs. In turn, Schelske accused Evans of having affairs with various individuals, including her “Dancing With the Stars” partner and Kenny Chesney.
Beyond sexual transgressions, Evans accused Schelske of harassment, verbal abuse, and threatening to kidnap their kids. The divorce proceedings were finalized in September 2007, but the legal battles continued for years. In 2010, Evans obtained a temporary restraining order against Schelske, preventing him from discussing their marriage publicly. Despite this, Schelske’s appearance on “Anderson” in 2011 prompted Evans to refile her petition, alleging that he violated the court order and negatively impacted their children.
The custody battle between Evans and Schelske extended over several years, with Schelske even facing an arrest warrant for unpaid child support in 2014. The divorces have shed light on the complexities and challenges that can arise in high-profile relationships, emphasizing the lasting impact on both the individuals involved and their children.
