Current:Home > NewsNatalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster" -MarketMind
Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
View
Date:2025-04-27 16:37:39
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! (24535)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- That's not my cat... but, maybe I want it to be? Inside the cat distribution system
- Tropical Glaciers in the Andes Are the Smallest They’ve Been in 11,700 Years
- WWE SummerSlam 2024: Time, how to watch, match card and more
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- What polling shows about the top VP contenders for Kamala Harris
- Teddy Riner lives out his dream of gold in front of Macron, proud French crowd
- When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics beam finals on tap
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- J.Crew’s Epic Weekend Sale Features an Extra 60% off Clearance Styles with Tops Starting at $8
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Aerosmith Announces Retirement From Touring After Steven Tyler's Severe Vocal Cord Injury
- American Grant Fisher surprises in Olympic men's 10,000 meters, taking bronze
- Judge rejects replacing counsel for man charged with shooting 3 Palestinian college students
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- 'SNL' cast departures: Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney exit
- TikTok’s Most Viral Products Are on Sale at Amazon Right Now Starting at $4.99
- Olympic fans cheer on Imane Khelif during win after she faced days of online abuse
Recommendation
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Idaho prosecutor says he’ll seek death penalty against inmate accused of killing while on the lam
Trinity Rodman plays the hero in USWNT victory over Japan — even if she doesn't remember
San Francisco Giants' Blake Snell pitches no-hitter vs. Cincinnati Reds
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Taking Over from the Inside: China’s Growing Reach Into Local Waters
Katie Ledecky swims into history with 800 freestyle victory at the Paris Olympics
Ticketmaster posts additional Eras Tour show in Toronto, quickly takes it down