Current:Home > reviewsNatalia 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"
TrendPulse View
Date:2025-04-08 04:39:39
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! (1)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- New Faces on a Vital National Commission Could Help Speed a Clean Energy Transition
- Victor Wembanyama's Security Guard Will Not Face Charges After Britney Spears Incident
- Inside Clean Energy: In Parched California, a Project Aims to Save Water and Produce Renewable Energy
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Mobile Homes, the Last Affordable Housing Option for Many California Residents, Are Going Up in Smoke
- Inside Clean Energy: Here’s a Cool New EV, but You Can’t Have It
- Britney Spears Condemns Security Attack as Further Evidence of Her Not Being Seen as an Equal Person
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Taylor Swift's Star-Studded Fourth of July Party Proves She’s Having Anything But a Cruel Summer
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- 'I still hate LIV': Golf's civil war is over, but how will pro golfers move on?
- ‘Timber Cities’ Might Help Decarbonize the World
- In a Strange Twist, Missing Teen Rudy Farias Was Home With His Mom Amid 8-Year Search
- Small twin
- Adidas begins selling off Yeezy brand sneakers, 7 months after cutting ties with Ye
- Amanda Kloots' Tribute to Nick Cordero On His Death Anniversary Will Bring You to Tears
- Save 57% On Sunday Riley Beauty Products and Get Glowing Skin
Recommendation
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Matthew McConaughey and Wife Camila Alves Let Son Levi Join Instagram After “Holding Out” for 3 Years
Adidas begins selling off Yeezy brand sneakers, 7 months after cutting ties with Ye
Supreme Court sides with Jack Daniel's in trademark dispute with dog toy maker
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Save 45% On the Cult Favorite Philosophy 3-In-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath
Amanda Kloots' Tribute to Nick Cordero On His Death Anniversary Will Bring You to Tears
Text scams, crypto crackdown, and an economist to remember