A Shocking Adoption Case That Captivated the World
In 2012, Kristine Barnett and her then-husband, Michael Barnett, made headlines when they claimed their adopted daughter, Natalia Grace, was not a child but an adult masquerading as an 8-year-old. The Indiana couple alleged that Natalia, originally from Ukraine and diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism called Diastrophic dysplasia, was actually a 22-year-old woman who threatened their family.
The couple even took legal steps to change Natalia’s age from 8 to 22. Soon after, they moved to Canada, leaving Natalia alone in an apartment in Indiana. This shocking case resurfaced in 2024 with the release of ID’s docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, where DNA tests suggested that Natalia was around 7 years old at the time of adoption, contradicting the Barnetts’ claims.
Now, more than a decade later, where is Kristine Barnett, and what has she been up to?
Who is Kristine Barnett?
Before the controversy, Kristine Barnett was best known as a mother of three biological sons and an author. In 2013, she published The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism, where she claimed her son Jacob had an “IQ higher than Einstein’s” and a “photographic memory.”
In 2010, she and Michael adopted Natalia, believing she was a young girl in need of a home. However, by 2012, Kristine insisted that Natalia was much older than her birth records indicated, citing concerning behaviors as evidence. She claimed that medical professionals had supported their concerns and that law enforcement had recommended changing Natalia’s age.
In 2013, Kristine and Michael moved to Canada, leaving Natalia in an Indiana apartment with rent paid for a year. Six years later, they were both charged with neglect, but neither was convicted.
Legal Battles and Divorce from Michael Barnett
In September 2019, Kristine and Michael were charged with multiple counts of neglecting a dependent. However, by 2022, a jury found Michael not guilty, and the following year, charges against Kristine were dropped.
The couple’s marriage did not survive the controversy. In 2014, a year after abandoning Natalia, Michael filed for divorce. Years later, in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, Michael claimed that he had been “manipulated” by Kristine and described their relationship as controlling and abusive.
Kristine has denied these claims, maintaining that she was the victim, not the aggressor.
Kristine Barnett’s Response to Natalia Grace’s Allegations
The 2024 docuseries also gave Natalia a chance to speak out. She accused Kristine of physically abusing her, including using pepper spray on her and hitting her with a belt.
Kristine did not participate in the docuseries but took to Facebook to deny the allegations. She wrote that Natalia had been “loved and cared for” and that the abuse claims were “just plain false.”
She also called Natalia a “sociopath” and accused her of manipulating public sympathy. “Michael Barnett and Natalia Barnett may have the same monster, but that monster is not me,” she wrote in 2024.
Where Is Kristine Barnett Now?
Since the case resurfaced in the media, Kristine has remained vocal about her side of the story. She has continued to insist on her innocence, criticizing those who have portrayed her negatively in documentaries and the media.
In May 2024, Kristine made a controversial Facebook post suggesting that public interest in Natalia’s case had faded, writing, “The trendiness of pretending to care about Natalia has died down.” She also accused her critics of only wanting to “bully a mother.”
On her public Facebook page, she describes herself as an “Author, Loving Mother, Advocate for Children with Disabilities, Writer, & Activist.” In March 2024, she announced a new memoir titled Witch Hunt: The Kristine Barnett Story, where she claims to share the truth about her life and the case.
Hulu’s Good American Family Brings the Case to the Big Screen
Kristine’s story will once again be in the spotlight with Hulu’s upcoming drama series Good American Family, premiering on March 19, 2025. The limited series stars Ellen Pompeo as Kristine, Mark Duplass as Michael, and Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia.
As public interest reignites, Kristine continues to defend her actions, while Natalia maintains that she was an innocent child caught in a terrifying situation.
What do you think about the case? Let us know in the comments below!
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