Current:Home > FinanceNatalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster" -TradeWisdom
Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-09 13:42:33
Natalia Grace is speaking out about her time with the Barnetts.
After the mysterious case of the Ukrainian native—who was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett in 2010 when she was 6 years old—was previously explored in harrowing detail, she's ready to share her side of the story.
Though the former couple have alleged that Natalia—who has spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare genetic disorder—was not a child, but rather a dangerous adult who subsequently attempted to kill them, Natalia has maintained that she was a young girl looking forward to her future when the Barnetts took her in.
But instead, she believes there was ulterior motives behind her adoption from the beginning.
"Kristine said that adopting me was this mission of love and never once did I see any love," Natalia says in an exclusive look at the ID docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. "I feel like it was a mission of boosting her ego type of thing. I feel like she just wanted people to be like, ‘Oh my goodness, like she's this amazing person.'"
As Natalia further explained, "'She just adopted a little girl from the Ukraine who has dwarfism and has all these different medical issues and everything like that. You know, she's a great mom for wanting to help somebody, right?'"
However, she maintains that her adoptive mom's persona was really a "mask."
"Have this really nice smile, 'I'm a great mom,'" she continues. "But and then it's like, pull that mask off—this is who she really is, like your true colors. Kristine was a monster. I didn't know what she was going to do next."
E! News has reached out to reps for Michael and Kristine Barnett for comment and has not heard back.
In 2012, the Barnetts petitioned a court to change Natalia's birth year from 2003 to 1989, making her 20 years old when they adopted her and accused her of attempting to harm them on several different occasions.
Michael and Kristine subsequently moved with their three sons to Canada, leaving Natalia to live by herself in an apartment in Lafayette, Ind., the following year.
Six years later, Michael and Kristine—who finalized their divorce in 2018—were brought up on charges in connection to their move. Michael was found not guilty on his charges in 2022, while prosecutors dropped their case against his ex-wife this past March.
The latest installment of Natalia's twisted adoption story will take a closer look at the "saga and the Barnetts' allegations from Natalia's perspective," according to a press release from ID, "offering insight into what really went on behind closed doors in the Barnetts' home."
The three-night docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks kicks off Jan. 1 at 9/8c on ID.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (6)
Related
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- California voters weigh measures on shoplifting, forced labor and minimum wage
- New Hampshire’s governor’s race pits ex-Sen. Kelly Ayotte against ex-Mayor Joyce Craig
- Voters deciding dozens of ballot measures affecting life, death, taxes and more
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Competitive Virginia races could play a critical role in the battle for Congress
- Casey and McCormick square off in Pennsylvania race that could determine Senate control
- Democrat Matt Meyer and Republican Michael Ramone square off in Delaware’s gubernatorial contest
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- US Sen. Tim Kaine fights for a 3rd term in Virginia against GOP challenger Hung Cao
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- In Maryland, competitive US House race focuses on abortion, economy and immigration
- North Dakota’s lone congressman seeks to continue GOP’s decades-old grip on the governor’s post
- Republican Mike Kehoe faces Democrat Crystal Quade for Missouri governor
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Pennsylvania is home to 5 heavily contested races for the US House
- Strike at Boeing was part of a new era of labor activism long in decline at US work places
- Which is the biggest dinner-table conversation killer: the election, or money?
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida
Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida
10 teams to watch as MLB rumors swirl with GM meetings, free agency getting underway
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Tim Walz’s Family Guide: Meet the Family of Kamala Harris’ Running Mate
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney challenged at poll when out to vote in election
Fantasy football Week 10: Trade value chart and rest of season rankings