Washington County Commissioner's wife alleges abandonment in seeking divorce

October 26, 2007|By ERIN JULIUS

HAGERSTOWN

The wife of Washington County Commissioner Terry Lee Baker filed for divorce Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court, alleging abandonment.

Katrina Nannette Baker alleges in court documents that she was abandoned by Baker on Sept. 28.

She also filed an emergency motion for relief, alleging Terry Baker's refusal to pay bills relating to the couple's home. Katrina Baker requested an emergency hearing because she has insufficient means to support herself, she claimed.

Terry Baker was contacted Friday at Washington County Technical High School, where he works, and said he had not been served with the paperwork. He declined to comment further.

The two were married in July 1992 in Lexington, Ky., and do not have children together, according to a divorce complaint.

Katrina Baker contends in court papers that she is unable to work and has had no income of her own since July 2004 due to back surgery. She alleges in the documents that Terry Baker has not paid the mortgage on the couple's home and the mortgage company has notified her that a foreclosure is imminent.

According to court documents, the water company contacted Katrina Baker and gave notice that the water to the home would be shut off on Nov. 12 due to nonpayment. An insurance agent contacted her Tuesday to notify her that Terry Baker discontinued her car insurance Monday, she alleged in court documents.

The couple owns rental properties from which they collect income, but one tenant gave notice that he is vacating one of the properties and two other properties are uninhabitable, according to documents. With one paying tenant remaining, Katrina Baker has access to $595 each month if the tenant pays her and not Terry Baker, according to the complaint for a limited divorce.

Katrina Baker is requesting alimony, that Terry Baker continue to keep her on his health insurance policy, that he pay for the costs of court proceedings and that he make a reasonable contribution to her lawyer fees.

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