Current:Home > MarketsNatalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster" -Thrive Financial Network
Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
View
Date:2025-04-13 07:01:13
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! (8)
Related
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Sea Level Rise Could Drive 1 in 10 People from Their Homes, with Dangerous Implications for International Peace, UN Secretary General Warns
- Maryland, Virginia Race to Save Dwindling Commercial Fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay
- How Riley Keough Is Celebrating Her First Emmy Nomination With Husband Ben Smith-Petersen
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Puerto Rico Hands Control of its Power Plants to a Natural Gas Company
- New York’s New Mayor Has Assembled a Seasoned Climate Team. Now, the Real Work Begins
- New EPA Proposal to Augment Methane Regulations Would Help Achieve an 87% Reduction From the Oil and Gas Industry by 2030
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Citing Health and Climate Concerns, Activists Urge HUD To Remove Gas Stoves From Federally Assisted Housing
Ranking
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- In a New Book, Annie Proulx Shows Us How to Fall in Love with Wetlands
- As the Climate Changes, Climate Fiction Is Changing With It
- Take 42% Off a Portable Blender With 12,200+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews on Prime Day 2023
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- People and pets seek shade and cool as Europe sizzles under a heat wave
- Last month was the hottest June ever recorded on Earth
- Young men making quartz countertops are facing lung damage. One state is taking action
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
In the Race to Develop the Best Solar Power Materials, What If the Key Ingredient Is Effort?
An ultra-processed diet made this doctor sick. Now he's studying why
Why Emily Blunt Is Taking a Year Off From Acting
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Why Khloe Kardashian Feels Like She's the 3rd Parent to Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's Daughter Dream
Oil Companies Had a Problem With ExxonMobil’s Industry-Wide Carbon Capture Proposal: Exxon’s Bad Reputation
Russia's nixing of Ukraine grain deal deepens worries about global food supply