Who are Michael and Kristine Barnett? Details explored ahead of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Road to Natalia Speaks

Michael and Kristine Barnett are a couple from Indiana, USA, who gained attention for adopting a Ukrainian girl named Natalia Grace. Their story has been the subject of controversy and public debate after they accused Natalia of being an adult pretending to be a child. This led to a legal battle, allegations of abuse, and the Barnetts facing charges of neglect.

Michael and Kristine Barnett adopted Natalia Grace in 2010. At the time, they claimed that they were told that she was a 6-year-old girl from Ukraine with a form of dwarfism. However, over time, the Barnetts became convinced that Natalia was much older than she appeared.

They suspected that she was an adult who had been pretending to be a child, and this belief led them to make controversial decisions.

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The Barnetts' claims about Natalia

The Barnetts claimed that Natalia showed signs of being an adult, including having pubic hair and menstrual cycles, which they thought meant she was not a child. They also accused her of making violent threats, such as trying to poison Kristine.

The Barnetts’ suspicions about Natalia’s true age led them to change her legal age in court, from 8 to 22 and leave her to live on her own.

The Barnetts went to court and successfully petitioned to change Natalia's age. The court documents altered her birth year from 2003 to 1989, making her legally 22 instead of 8. This change was crucial in their decision to move Natalia into several independent apartments.

The Barnetts left for Canada to support their eldest son's education, leaving Natalia behind in Indiana. However, this decision led to criminal charges for neglect.

In the documentary The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, Natalia speaks out about her experiences. She accuses Kristine of physically and emotionally abusing her during her time with the Barnetts.

Natalia recalls being allegedly pepper-sprayed multiple times by Kristine as a form of punishment. She recounts Kristine's threatening words that she allegedly spoke:

“If you do something wrong, I’m gonna pepper spray you.”

According to Natalia, Kristine would make her sit through the pain for up to ten minutes before allowing her to wash it off, showing no concern for the harm it caused.

Another claim Natalia makes in the documentary involves Kristine forcing her to use a tampon at a young age. According to Natalia, despite not having started menstruating, Kristine insisted that she was already having periods and made her insert a tampon.

Natalia says the process was painful and traumatic, but she was too afraid to protest or speak out. She recounts how Kristine ignored her discomfort and used it as proof that Natalia was older than she was.

In the documentary, Michael Barnett, Natalia's adoptive father, also shares his experience. He describes how Kristine allegedly controlled him and manipulated him throughout their marriage.

Michael alleges that Kristine threatened to take their three biological sons away from him and that he tried to leave her on numerous occasions. He claims that Kristine was the one who pushed the idea that Natalia was an adult, which led to their drastic actions.

To further support her side of the story, Natalia and her guardian, Bishop Antwon Mans, decided to undergo a DNA test to determine her true biological age. The results, conducted by TruDiagnostic, suggested that Natalia was closer to 22 years old at the time of testing, supporting her belief that she was not the adult the Barnetts had claimed her to be.

As part of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, Natalia accuses her adoptive mother Kristine of emotional and physical abuse, which she alleges occurred over several years. Kristine’s refusal to participate in the documentary has sparked controversy, with some believing that her silence speaks volumes about her guilt.

In her response to the accusations, Kristine maintains that she did not abandon or abuse Natalia. She claims that Natalia was determined to be an adult by others, including medical professionals, and that she was simply following the advice she was given.

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The Barnetts’ defense

Michael and Kristine’s defense revolves around the claim that they were following expert advice and that their actions were justified. Kristine has pointed out that doctors and other professionals helped them decide to change Natalia’s age and that they believed they were acting in her best interests.

However, many question whether the Barnetts were truly concerned for Natalia’s well-being or if their actions were driven by their own motivations.

In the wake of the abuse allegations, the Barnetts faced criminal charges for neglecting Natalia. They were accused of abandoning a dependent child, given that Natalia’s condition made her unable to live independently, regardless of her age.

The Barnetts’ actions have sparked debates about the responsibilities of adoptive parents and the rights of children with disabilities.

The case has captured the public’s attention, with many people expressing shock and disbelief at the events surrounding Natalia’s life. Social media platforms have been filled with discussions about the Barnetts and their actions, with people offering their support for Natalia and condemning the abuse she allegedly suffered.

Many have questioned why social services did not intervene sooner in Natalia’s case. However, some question Natalia’s story and the accuracy of her claims.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, after the final episode of the docuseries was released, Natalia took to her social media and shared in part,

"This is my side of the story, and I’m going to say what happened because I never got a chance to say what happened,"

The documentary raises questions about how adoptive children, particularly those with disabilities, are treated by the system and whether enough is being done to protect their rights.

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The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace Season 1 was released in 2023. Followed by The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, which was released in January 2024. Both seasons of the Investigation Discovery docuseries are available to stream on Max. The first two episodes of the final season will be released on January 6, 2025.