West Lafayette woman charged with stalking Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue basketball star Katie Gearlds was friends with team manager Lindsey Diane Baker back in 2004.

That was 18 years ago. A lot changes in 18 years.

Baker sat in the Tippecanoe County Jail without bond on Monday, accused of stalking Gearlds, who is now the Purdue women's basketball head coach.

The Journal & Courier reached out to Gearlds and Purdue Athletics for comment. They have not responded, yet.

Prosecutors charged Baker, 39, 1600 Lionheart Lane, West Lafayette, on Wednesday with two counts of stalking and one count of intimidation.

Starting in July and running through January, Baker started sending Gearlds unwanted emails — some threatening in nature, according to prosecutors and an Indiana State Police investigation.

In July, Baker admitted to emailing Gearlds, but told police she intended Gearlds no harm, according to prosecutors.

Baker changed her email address and resumed the threatening emails later in July, according to prosecutors, who cited two messages from July 21 that referenced bullets and threatening to shoot Gearlds through the heart.

Near the end of September, Gearlds received more threatening emails, and she received a protective order barring Baker from any contact with Gearlds. 

Prosecutors said that Baker sent more emails in December, ignoring the protective order, then Baker began following Gearlds on social media. Gearlds blocked her.

On Jan. 20, Baker resumed emailing Gearlds and included others who know the coach. Some of these emails included copies of emails that Gearlds had sent to Baker years ago, according to prosecutors.

On Jan. 31, Baker sent two more emails. 

Prosecutors filed charges on Feb. 2. Baker was arrested two days later. She remains in jail without bond, according to online jail records.

Reach Ron Wilkins or at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.