ANDERSON, Ind. — Accused of raping and molesting a child, former Indiana councilman and preacher Steve Sumner fled the state of Indiana. He was on the run for more than two years before he was caught. But he didn't act alone.

Now, authorities are pressing charges against the woman accused of helping Sumner avoid justice. Sharon Bailey Barker (also known as Sharon Bailey Wood) is charged with assisting a criminal, a Level 5 felony.

A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Previous stories detail how Sumner was charged in 2020 with a litany of child sex crimes. He's accused of raping and molesting an underage girl. Sumner resigned from the Madison County Council months after the charges were filed.

In 2023, rather than stand trial, Sumner fled the state.

But he wasn't alone.

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