Current:Home > MyNatalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster" -Secure Growth Solutions
Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-09 19:33:37
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! (694)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Trisha Paytas Announces End of Podcast With Colleen Ballinger Amid Controversy
- Pressing Safety Concerns, Opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Gear Up for the Next Round of Battle
- Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin Lag on Environmental Justice Issues
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- 'Wait Wait' for July 22, 2023: Live in Portland with Damian Lillard!
- Twitter users report problems accessing the site as Musk sets temporary viewing limits
- Why Keke Palmer Is Telling New Moms to “Do You” After Boyfriend Darius Jackson’s Online Drama
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Corpus Christi Sold Its Water to Exxon, Gambling on Desalination. So Far, It’s Losing the Bet
Ranking
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Nikki Bella Shares Her Relatable AF Take on Parenting a Toddler
- Arizona’s New Governor Takes on Water Conservation and Promises to Revise the State’s Groundwater Management Act
- Prime Day 2023 Deals on Amazon Devices: Get a $400 TV for $99 and Save on Kindles, Fire Tablets, and More
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Corpus Christi Sold Its Water to Exxon, Gambling on Desalination. So Far, It’s Losing the Bet
- Our fireworks show
- Arizona’s New Governor Takes on Water Conservation and Promises to Revise the State’s Groundwater Management Act
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Charli D'Amelio Shares 6 Deals You’ll Find in Her Amazon Cart for Prime Day 2023
Get Shiny, Frizz-Free, Waterproof Hair With These 30% Off Color Wow Deals From Amazon Prime Day 2023
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
The secret to Barbie's enduring appeal? She can fend for herself
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
Traveling over the Fourth of July weekend? So is everyone else