Michael Barnett Parents, Find More Information About Him
by Harini
Updated Jun 05, 2023
Michael Barnett Parents
Michael and Kristine Barnett adopted Natalia Grace in 2010 but were eventually acquitted of neglect charges in October 2022. The charges stemmed from allegations that they abandoned Natalia and left her to live alone in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, while they moved to Canada.
The ID documentary, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, features Natalia exhibiting various disturbing behaviors. In a trailer for the documentary, Michael claimed to have found Natalia standing at the foot of his bed with a knife in her hand. He also alleged that she tried to poison Kristine's coffee and pushed her into an electric fence.
In 2012, the Barnetts petitioned the Marion County Probate Court to change Natalia's birth date from 2003 to 1989, effectively claiming that she was an adult and not a child. Three years after adopting her, the Barnetts stated that they could no longer live with Natalia and moved to Canada, leaving her in the rental apartment.
Despite legally changing Natalia's age, both Michael and Kristine were charged with multiple counts of neglect in Indiana in September 2019. During Michael's trial in October 2022, Natalia testified and expressed her desire to live with the Barnetts.
Later that month, Michael's charges were dismissed, and Kristine's charges were dropped in March, just three weeks before her scheduled trial. Details of Michael Barnett's parents are currently not available.
Who is Michael Barnett?
Michael Barnett has held various positions in the retail industry, starting as a team leader and working his way up to district manager roles. He has worked for companies like Circuit City and T-Mobile. Currently, he is employed as the District Director of Operations for a financial company in Indiana.
In his role as District Director of Operations, Michael is responsible for recruiting, training, and retaining teams across 11 locations in Central Indiana. He also performs the duties typically associated with a District Manager, which include driving results, promoting engagement, managing staff, facilitating development, achieving goals, and executing financial operations. This information is stated on his LinkedIn profile.
Michael Barnett and his ex-wife Kristine adopted Natalia Grace Barnett in April 2010 from Ukraine through an emergency adoption process. They were informed that Natalia was 6 years old at the time of adoption. However, shortly after bringing her home, they claimed to have noticed concerning behavior from Natalia, including alleged threats towards Michael's biological sons and incidents where she allegedly attempted to harm them with a knife and poison Kristine's coffee.
The Barnetts asserted that Natalia was not a child but an adult woman with a form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc), which caused her to appear smaller in stature. In 2012, they filed a petition to change Natalia's birth year from 2003 to 1989, officially recognizing her as an adult.
After nearly three years of living with Natalia, the Barnetts decided to move to Canada in 2013, leaving Natalia behind in a rental apartment in Lafayette, Indiana. However, in September 2019, both Michael and Kristine were charged with neglect in the state of Indiana. Michael faced multiple counts, including neglect of a dependent, neglect causing bodily injury, neglect causing serious bodily injury, and conspiracy to neglect a dependent.
In February 2022, four counts of neglect of a dependent were dismissed against Michael, and in October 2022, he was found not guilty after his trial. Charges against Kristine were also dropped in March 2023, shortly before her scheduled trial. Currently, Michael is residing in Indiana, while Kristine is living in Florida.
In 2019, Michael appeared on Good Morning America, claiming that doctors had labeled Natalia as a sociopath and a con artist, raising concerns for their family's safety. During the filming of the 2023 ID docuseries, Michael emotionally alleged that they were all abused
Who is Nataila Grace?
Natalia Grace is a young girl from Ukraine who was adopted by the Barnett family from Indiana. She has a rare form of dwarfism. Natalia's adoption by the Barnetts took place after a previous adoption arrangement with another American couple did not work out. The Barnetts flew to a Florida adoption agency to meet Natalia before taking her on a trip to Disney World.
However, shortly after the adoption, questions arose about Natalia's true age, leading to a series of allegations and investigations. The Barnetts claimed that Natalia was not a child but an adult with potentially dangerous tendencies. Indiana social services looked into possible abuse and neglect in relation to Natalia's care.
The current whereabouts and circumstances of Natalia Grace are mentioned in the information. It states that Natalia, whose age and backstory still raise questions, now lives with another family in a different town in Indiana.
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace
The documentary titled The Curious Case of Natalia Grace explores the intriguing story surrounding Natalia Grace Barnett, a Ukrainian orphan who was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett. The film delves into the controversy and legal battles that ensued after the Barnetts accused Natalia of being an adult pretending to be a child.
The documentary investigates the events leading up to the adoption, the alleged concerning behaviors displayed by Natalia, and the claims made by the Barnetts regarding her true age and background. It explores the conflicting perspectives and testimonies from various individuals involved in the case, shedding light on the complex and mysterious circumstances surrounding Natalia's adoption and subsequent abandonment.
Through interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace presents different viewpoints and attempts to unravel the truth behind the conflicting narratives. It delves into the legal proceedings, the impact on the lives of all parties involved, and the public fascination surrounding the case.
The documentary provides viewers with an in-depth exploration of the Natalia Grace Barnett story, raising questions about identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of international adoption. It aims to uncover the facts and present a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding Natalia's case
Natalia Grace Barnett shares her own perspective on the events that unfolded with her former adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett. Natalia expresses frustration at not having had the opportunity to share her side of the story previously. She emphasizes her desire to know her own identity and understand what happened to her.
Natalia refutes the allegations made against her by the Barnetts, stating that the claims are shocking and untrue. She expresses disappointment that people are believing the narrative presented by Michael and Kristine without hearing her side. Natalia asserts that she wants to set the record straight and provide her version of the events.
The documentary aims to give Natalia a platform to share her experiences and challenge the accusations made against her. It presents her viewpoint as an important and previously unheard voice in the narrative, highlighting the significance of considering multiple perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of what truly transpired.
Barnett Case
The case of Barnett revolves around the adoption and subsequent abandonment of Natalia Grace, their adopted daughter with severe dwarfism. The prosecution claims that Michael and Kristine Barnett either abandoned Natalia in Lafayette or respected her wishes of not wanting to be with them. They alleged that in 2012, the Barnetts decided they no longer wanted Natalia in their home and did not pick her up from a hospital.
Natalia's disability made her legally dependent on the Barnetts, according to the prosecution. They argued that the Barnetts' decision to move Natalia to Lafayette and then relocate to Canada constituted neglect based on her disability. The prosecution also pointed out that the Barnetts had obtained a court order to change Natalia's birth year from 2003 to 1989, which cannot be reversed.
Michael Barnett is accused of neglecting a dependent, neglecting an individual who has suffered adverse effects, neglecting a child who has suffered serious harm, and conspiring to abandon a dependent. In her trial, Kristine Barnett will also be charged with the same offences.
The defense, represented by attorney Terrance Kinnard, countered the prosecution's claims. They argued that the Barnetts did not refuse to pick Natalia up from the hospital but instead respected her decision not to return to live with them. The defense claimed that the Barnetts removed Natalia from a group home they deemed harmful and set her up in an apartment in Westfield. They further stated that when the lease on the Westfield apartment ended, Natalia was asked to move out due to problems, leading to her relocation to an apartment in Lafayette.
The defense highlighted that some accommodations were made for Natalia in the Lafayette apartment, such as lowering the door handle and lock to her reach and installing a window air conditioner in response to her complaints about the summer heat. The trial will continue as both the prosecution and defense present further evidence and arguments in relation to the case.
Michael Barnett Parents -FAQ
The case of Barnett revolves around the adoption and subsequent abandonment of Natalia Grace, their adopted daughter with severe dwarfism.
Michael Barnett is facing charges including neglect of a dependent, neglect of a dependent with bodily injury, neglect of a dependent with serious bodily injury, and conspiracy to neglect a dependent.
Kristine Barnett is set to face identical charges in her upcoming trial.
The prosecution claimed that Michael and Kristine Barnett either abandoned Natalia in Lafayette or respected her wishes of not wanting to be with them. They alleged that the Barnetts decided not to pick her up from a hospital in 2012.
The defense argued that the Barnetts did not refuse to pick Natalia up from the hospital but instead respected her decision not to return to live with them. They stated that the Barnetts removed Natalia from a group home they deemed harmful and set her up in an apartment in Westfield.
The trial is ongoing, with both the prosecution and defense presenting evidence and arguments related to the case