What Happened to Kristine Barnett? Where is She Now?
by Ushapriyanga | Updated May 31, 2023
What Happened to Kristine Barnett?
The Barnett family, who are accused of abandoning their adopted daughter Natalia in 2019, are currently residing in a foreign country instead of their native United States. The family gained attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding their case, which was the subject of a documentary.
In 2010, Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted Natalia, believing her to be a six-year-old girl, but later claimed that she subjected them to years of abuse. Natalia, who has a rare form of Dwarfism known as Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita, refutes all the allegations made by her family.
Michael told Good Morning America: "We were told by doctors, 'This person is a sociopath. This person is a con artist. You are all in danger'. "Natalia would do things like place clear thumbtacks on the stairs face up so that when we would walk up the stairs we would be stepping on thumbtacks to pain and injure ourselves."
Michael and Kristine Barnett Documentary
Natalia Grace Barnett, a person with a rare bone-growth disorder, was adopted from Ukraine by a family who believed she was 6 years old. However, her adoptive parents later claimed that she was actually an adult posing as a child and exhibiting sociopathic behavior.
Michael and Kristine Barnett, who reside in Indianapolis, alleged that Natalia posed a threat to them and their biological children. Consequently, the parents were charged with neglecting their disabled daughter.
The complex story is documented in the docuseries "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" on Investigation Discovery. The filmmakers aimed to uncover the truth surrounding the incident. Michael Barnett provided his defense in extensive interviews, while Kristine Barnett and Natalia declined to share their perspectives. Michael, now divorced from Kristine, described their situation as "living with a con artist and a psychopath."
The Barnetts adopted Natalia from a Florida adoption agency in 2010. According to Barnett, they were given only 24 hours to make a decision. He recalled, "They said, 'She has dwarfism. You have 24 hours to sign; otherwise, she is going straight to foster care.'"
Barnett explained that they chose to adopt Natalia out of a desire to help someone in need of love. Natalia's Ukrainian birth certificate indicated she was born on September 4, 2003. At the time of adoption, there was no reason to suspect she was anything other than a 6-year-old orphan. Natalia, affected by spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, had skeletal abnormalities and potential issues with vision and hearing. Her height was barely 3 feet.
In the documentary, Barnett shared that the day after the adoption, Kristine discovered something unexpected while bathing Natalia. She was surprised to find pubic hair on their "brand-new" little girl.
Shortly afterward, Kristine confronted Natalia about blood-stained underwear found in her room. In a home video shown in the series, Natalia explained, "I have a period, and I've been hiding it."
Barnett revealed that Natalia exhibited disturbing behaviors, such as urinating and defecating in the car, as well as smearing feces on the windows. He also mentioned instances where she would purposefully "throw herself" out of the car for attention in public.
Where is Kristine Barnett Now?
Before adopting Natalia, Michael and Kristine Barnett were happily married for 15 years and had already welcomed their biological sons into the world. Jacob, the eldest, was born in 1995, followed by Wesley in 1999, and Ethan in 2003.
In the documentary series "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace," Michael Barnett reveals the alleged terror that his biological sons experienced due to Natalia's actions. He claims that she made threats to harm them, including disturbing statements about stabbing and burying them. The emotional impact on Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan during this challenging period should not be overlooked.
The lives of the Barnett brothers have been significantly affected by the events surrounding Natalia's adoption and subsequent legal proceedings. The allegations of abuse and the ensuing media attention undoubtedly cast a shadow over their formative years.
After the case, little information has emerged about the current lives of Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan Barnett. The desire to protect their privacy and shield them from further scrutiny likely contributed to their limited public presence.
While the focus has understandably revolved around Natalia and the Barnetts, it is essential to acknowledge the lasting effects such a high-profile case can have on the children involved. The experiences of Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan have shaped their perspectives and left an enduring impact on their journey into adulthood.
As the public grapples with the complexities of the Natalia Grace saga, it is crucial to extend empathy not only to Natalia but also to the Barnett brothers. Their lives have become forever intertwined with this controversial adoption, and their experiences provide another layer of understanding to the intricate dynamics within the Barnett family.
Although their current whereabouts and personal stories may remain private, the enduring consequences of the Natalia Grace ordeal serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting and safeguarding the well-being of all children involved in high-profile cases.
Kristine and Michael Barnett Divorce
Following their divorce, Michael and Kristine Barnett were charged with neglecting a dependent. However, due to the court-ordered age change for Natalia, prosecutors were unable to charge them with neglect of a child.
In October 2022, Michael Barnett was found "not guilty" on three neglect charges and conspiracy to commit neglect of a dependent, as reported by Fox News. Subsequently, in March 2023, Kristine's charges were also dropped. The prosecution determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. According to court documents obtained by The Exponent, Kristine is listed as residing in Florida.
Kristine Barnett Son
Kristine Barnett's son is named Jacob Barnett. Kristine Barnett authored a book titled "The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius." According to the book's description on Google, Kristine shares the extraordinary journey with her son Jacob, who possesses an IQ surpassing that of Einstein, a photographic memory, and the ability to teach himself calculus in a mere two weeks.
Starting at the age of nine, Jacob delved into original theories in astrophysics that experts believe could potentially lead him to a Nobel Prize. By the time he turned twelve, he was already working as a paid researcher in quantum physics. This story becomes even more remarkable considering that Jacob's remarkable mind was initially overshadowed by his autism diagnosis, with professionals doubting he would ever develop skills like tying his shoelaces.
The public image portrayed by Kristine Barnett as a nurturing mother contrasts sharply with the accusations against her as an adoptive mother. She was accused of altering her adopted daughter's birth year and relocating her to Lafayette, a city unfamiliar to Natalia until 2013.
Prosecutors and public interviews with Kristine and Michael Barnett suggest that after dropping off Natalia at a Lafayette apartment, Kristine, Michael, and their biological sons moved to Canada so that their then 15-year-old son Jacob could commence college.
What Happened to Kristine Barnett-FAQs
The current status of the Barnett family and Natalia Grace is not widely known or publicly disclosed. After the legal proceedings, there has been limited information about their lives and whereabouts.
Michael and Kristine Barnett were charged with neglecting a dependent. However, the charges were dropped for both of them in separate instances due to insufficient evidence.
"The Spark" is a book written by Kristine Barnett. It chronicles her journey as a mother raising her son Jacob, who has exceptional abilities and was diagnosed with autism at a young age. The book highlights Jacob's remarkable intellectual achievements and the challenges they faced as a family.
There is limited information available about the current lives of Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan Barnett. Privacy concerns and the desire to shield them from further scrutiny have likely contributed to their limited public presence.