5 Shocking Revelations And The Current Status Of Michael And Kristine Barnett After The Natalia Grace Case
The curious case of Michael and Kristine Barnett continues to grip the public imagination as of late 2025, fueled by new docuseries and revelations that complicate the already bizarre story of their adopted daughter, Natalia Grace. What began as a heartwarming adoption of a Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism quickly devolved into a sensational legal battle, centered on the shocking claim that Natalia was not a child but an adult "sociopath" masquerading as one. The fallout from this controversy has permanently altered the lives of the Barnett family, leading to divorce, criminal charges, and years of intense media scrutiny, with new information constantly emerging from court records and public statements.
The core of the saga—whether Natalia Grace was a 6-year-old girl or a 22-year-old woman—has seen multiple dramatic turns since the initial adoption in 2010. With both Michael and Kristine Barnett now cleared of criminal charges related to neglect, public interest has shifted to their lives post-acquittal and the current independent status of Natalia herself. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute look at where Michael and Kristine Barnett are now, the definitive timeline of the legal battle, and the lasting impact of one of the most compelling true-crime stories of the decade.
Michael and Kristine Barnett: Full Biography and Legal Timeline
The Barnetts were an Indiana couple with three biological sons, most notably Jacob Barnett, a child prodigy who was diagnosed with autism. Their lives were thrust into the global spotlight following the 2010 adoption of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian orphan.
- Kristine Barnett:
- Role in the Case: The primary figure pushing the narrative that Natalia was an adult "sociopath" who threatened the family.
- Career/Advocacy: Author and advocate for children with disabilities, known for her book, The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius, about raising her son Jacob. As of 2025, she describes herself as an Author, Loving Mother, Advocate for Children With Disabilities, Writer, and Activist.
- Legal Status: Charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent in 2019. The charges against her were dropped in March 2023.
- Current Status: Divorced from Michael Barnett in 2018. She remains active in writing and advocacy.
- Michael Barnett:
- Role in the Case: Testified against Kristine, claiming she was the main driver behind the decision to have Natalia's age legally changed.
- Career/Employment: Currently employed as the director of district operations for a financial company in Indiana.
- Legal Status: Charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent in 2019. Found not guilty and acquitted of all charges by a jury in 2022.
- Current Status: Divorced from Kristine Barnett in 2018. He resides in Indiana and has appeared in the follow-up docuseries.
- Natalia Grace:
- Background: Ukrainian-born orphan with a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita.
- Current Status (2025): Now preparing to live independently by studying for her GED and learning to drive. She has reportedly fallen out with the Mans family, who had taken her in, due to finding them "too strict."
Key Legal and Case Timeline
The timeline of the Barnett-Natalia Grace case is critical to understanding the legal complexities and the severity of the charges.
- 2010: Michael and Kristine Barnett adopt Natalia Grace, believing her to be a 6-year-old child.
- 2012: The Barnetts successfully petition a Marion County court to legally change Natalia's age from 8 to 22, based on claims she was an adult. This legally re-aged her, making her an adult in the eyes of the state.
- 2013: The Barnetts move to Canada, leaving Natalia to live alone in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana.
- 2014: Michael Barnett files for divorce from Kristine Barnett.
- 2018: The divorce between Michael and Kristine is finalized.
- 2019: Michael and Kristine Barnett are charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent for allegedly abandoning Natalia after her age was legally changed.
- 2022: Michael Barnett is found not guilty and acquitted of all charges by a jury.
- 2023: The charges against Kristine Barnett are dropped by prosecutors. Neither Michael nor Kristine served any jail time.
The Age Controversy: Child or Adult?
The central pillar of the entire case is the dispute over Natalia Grace’s true age. The Barnetts claimed that Natalia was an adult woman who exhibited psychopathic behavior, including threats against their lives and attempts to harm them. This led to the controversial 2012 court order that legally changed her age from 8 to 22, effectively turning her into an adult in the eyes of the law, which then allowed the Barnetts to move to Canada without being charged with abandoning a minor.
However, the prosecution later presented evidence, including Natalia's original Ukrainian birth records, which supported the claim that she was, in fact, a child at the time of the adoption and when she was left alone in 2013. Adding to the complexity, a later bone density test, revealed in the docuseries, suggested Natalia was approximately 22 years old at the time of testing, meaning she would have been around 9 years old when adopted. This scientific evidence further muddied the waters, as it contradicted the Barnetts' claim that she was a full adult, but also countered the claim that she was still a very young child when the neglect charges were filed.
Where Are Michael and Kristine Barnett Now in 2025?
Following the conclusion of their respective legal battles—Michael’s acquittal in 2022 and the dismissal of Kristine’s charges in 2023—both Barnetts have attempted to move on with their lives, though they remain separated. The case has been immortalized in two high-profile television productions: the documentary series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, which had its latest season air in January 2025, and the 2025 Hulu limited series Good American Family, which dramatizes the events.
Kristine Barnett has continued to leverage her public profile as an author and advocate. She is known for her work promoting awareness for children with disabilities, a cause she championed long before the Natalia Grace controversy. Her public statements, often through social media, emphasize her role as a loving mother to her three biological sons and her commitment to activism. She has maintained that her actions were driven by a need to protect her family from what she believed was a dangerous adult.
Michael Barnett, who was acquitted of all charges, has largely returned to a private life in Indiana, where he works in the financial sector. His participation in the docuseries follow-up provided a starkly different perspective from Kristine’s, often portraying him as a victim of both the circumstances and his ex-wife’s influence. His acquittal marked a major turning point, legally absolving him of the criminal neglect charges, though the court of public opinion remains divided on his role in the abandonment.
The Continuing Saga: Docuseries and Public Opinion
The enduring fascination with the Barnett case is due to its true-crime elements and the sheer implausibility of the events. The docuseries, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, has been instrumental in keeping the story in the public eye, with its latest installment in early 2025 focusing on the aftermath and Natalia’s life with the Mans family, a relationship that has since ended. The constant stream of new information, including interviews and DNA evidence, means the narrative is always evolving.
The public perception of the Barnetts has been heavily influenced by these media portrayals. Kristine is often seen as the mastermind behind the age change and subsequent abandonment, while Michael is sometimes viewed as a more sympathetic figure who was manipulated. However, the fact that both were charged with a serious crime and that neither served jail time remains a point of contention for many observers who believe the abandonment of a vulnerable person, regardless of their legal age, was a moral failure. The legal conclusion does not necessarily align with the public's desire for justice in this complex family drama.
The case continues to serve as a cautionary tale about the complexities of international adoption, the limits of legal age determination, and the devastating consequences of a family breakdown under extreme stress. As Natalia Grace moves toward independence, the Barnetts, though legally cleared, will forever be linked to the bizarre and highly publicized events of this extraordinary case.
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