Current:Home > FinanceNatalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster" -WealthMindset Learning
Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:22:36
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! (23281)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Al Pacino Addresses Oscars Controversy Over Best Picture Presenting Moment
- Across the Nation, Lawmakers Aim to Ban Lab-Grown Meat
- The IRS launches Direct File, a pilot program for free online tax filing available in 12 states
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- What's next for Minnesota? Vikings QB options after Kirk Cousins signs with Falcons
- RHOBH's Garcelle Beauvais Weighs in on Possible Dorit Kemsley Reconciliation After Reunion Fight
- A Kansas judge says barring driver’s license changes doesn’t violate trans people’s rights
- Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
- Al Pacino says Oscars producers asked him to omit reading best picture nominees
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Donald Trump wants New York hush money trial delayed until Supreme Court rules on immunity claims
- Oil sheen off California possibly caused by natural seepage from ocean floor, Coast Guard says
- LinkedIn goes down on Wednesday, following Facebook outage on Super Tuesday
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Weezer to celebrate 30th anniversary of 'Blue Album' on concert tour with The Flaming Lips
- What Prince William Was Up to Amid Kate Middleton's Photo Controversy
- Appeals court weighs Delaware laws banning certain semiautomatic firearms, large-capacity magazines
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Cincinnati Bengals releasing Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon, will sign Zack Moss, per reports
Need a quarterback? Think twice as Mac Jones trade stamps 2021 NFL draft as costly warning
CHUNG HA is ready for a new chapter: 'It's really important from now to share my stories'
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Cincinnati Bengals releasing Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon, will sign Zack Moss, per reports
NAACP urges Black student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges after state slashed DEI programs
New Jersey lawmakers fast track bill that could restrict records access under open records law