CULLMAN, Ala. – Former Cullman attorney Sara Baker is back in the Cullman County Detention Center after a specially appointed Walker County judge revoked her bond Friday, finding probable cause that she violated the conditions of her release while awaiting trial on multiple felony charges alleging she attempted to poison her husband with fentanyl.
The ruling marks the latest development in a case that began with Baker’s November 2025 arrest and has since expanded into an 11-count indictment.
During Friday’s bond revocation hearing, prosecutors alleged Baker committed a new criminal offense while free on a $400,000 bond by arranging for fentanyl to be transported into the residence of her husband, James “Doyle” Baker, despite conditions placed on her release.
New allegations lead to bond revocation
According to testimony and court documents presented during the hearing, investigators alleged Baker asked one of her husband’s caregivers on June 11 for an empty prescription medication bottle from the residence.
Later that month, prosecutors alleged Baker returned and gave a caregiver a black bag, instructing the caregiver to place it inside a safe at the home. Authorities believed the bag contained the medication bottle.
Investigators later executed a search warrant and recovered the bottle, which reportedly contained approximately 12 grams of a purple-colored powder.
Cullman Police lead investigator Zachary Latham testified that a field test indicated the substance was fentanyl, the same drug prosecutors allege was used in the original criminal case.
Walker County Judge Gregory Williams (on the case because Cullman County judges recused) ruled Baker had not violated the no-contact portion of her bond because there was no evidence she had direct personal contact with her husband.
However, the judge found probable cause that Baker violated another condition of her release by allegedly committing a new criminal act involving fentanyl.
Following the ruling, Baker was remanded to the custody of the Cullman County Detention Center, where she remains pending further court proceedings.
Husband testified on Baker’s behalf
James “Doyle” Baker testified during the hearing in support of his wife.
He told the court Baker had complied with the no-contact provisions of her bond and questioned why the hearing was being held.
Judge Williams agreed there had been no direct contact between the two but determined the allegations involving fentanyl entering the residence constituted sufficient grounds to revoke Baker’s bond.
Mental disease or defect plea entered
At the beginning of Friday’s hearing, Baker entered pleas of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the pending criminal charges.
The court ordered that Baker undergo a psychological evaluation as the case moves forward.
Background of the case
Baker, a longtime Cullman attorney and former prosecutor, was arrested in November 2025 following a joint investigation by the Cullman Police Department and the FBI.
Investigators alleged Baker attempted to poison her husband, former Auburn football player James “Doyle” Baker, by placing fentanyl into his food or drink on multiple occasions during September 2025. Baker posted a $400,000 bond shortly after her arrest.
In February, a Cullman County grand jury returned an 11-count indictment charging Baker with:
- conspiracy to commit murder
- three counts of attempted murder
- second-degree domestic violence
- second-degree elder abuse
- unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- four counts of solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege Baker conspired to obtain fentanyl and administered what she believed to be fentanyl to her husband on multiple occasions between September and November 2025.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office of Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker. No trial date has been announced.
Timeline
September 2025: Prosecutors allege multiple attempts were made to poison James “Doyle” Baker with fentanyl.
Nov. 25, 2025: Sara Baker is arrested on multiple felony charges.
Nov. 26, 2025: Baker posts a $400,000 bond and is released from custody.
Feb. 13, 2026: A Cullman County grand jury returns an 11-count indictment.
July 10, 2026: Prosecutors seek a warrant alleging Baker violated conditions of her bond after new allegations involving fentanyl.
July 14, 2026: Baker is located and taken into custody in Mountain Brook.
July 17, 2026: Following a hearing, Judge Gregory Williams officially revokes Baker’s bond, and she is returned to the Cullman County Detention Center.
Case history
The Cullman Tribune has covered the Sara Baker case from the beginning. The following articles provide additional details about significant developments in the case.
Nov. 25-26, 2025: Initial arrest
Former Cullman attorney Sara Baker was arrested following an investigation by the Cullman Police Department and the FBI after authorities alleged she attempted to poison her husband, James “Doyle” Baker, by placing fentanyl into his food and drink on multiple occasions. Baker was later released on a $400,000 bond while awaiting trial.
February 2026: Grand jury returns 11-count indictment
A Cullman County grand jury indicted Baker on 11 felony charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder, second-degree elder abuse, second-degree domestic violence, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and four counts of solicitation to commit a controlled substance crime.
July 15, 2026: Baker located, returned to custody
After a warrant was issued alleging Baker violated the conditions of her bond, law enforcement officers located her at a residence in Mountain Brook. She was taken into custody and transported back to Cullman County to await a bond revocation hearing.
www.cullmantribune.com/tag/courts
July 19, 2026: Bond revoked
Following testimony from investigators, caregivers and Baker’s husband, Judge Gregory Williams revoked Baker’s bond after finding probable cause that she violated a condition of her release by allegedly transporting fentanyl to her husband’s residence. Baker remains in the Cullman County Detention Center as the criminal case proceeds.
Baker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
