Natalia Grace’s adoption story has captivated audiences for years, with shocking allegations, legal battles, and a high-profile docuseries shedding light on the case. The Ukrainian orphan, who has a rare genetic disorder, accused her adoptive mother, Kristine Barnett, of mistreating her and abandoning her. Now, with Hulu’s new series Good American Family premiering in March 2025, featuring Ellen Pompeo as Kristine, interest in this real-life drama has been reignited.
Who Is Kristine Barnett?
Kristine Barnett is an author, motivational speaker, and advocate for children with autism. She is also the founder of Jacob’s Place, an organization focused on autism support. However, her reputation took a massive hit when Natalia Grace publicly accused her of being an unfit adoptive mother. During the ID docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, Natalia claimed that Kristine adopted her not out of love but as a way to boost her own ego.
The Abandonment Allegations and Legal Battle
In 2013, Kristine and her then-husband, Michael Barnett, left Natalia alone in Lafayette, Indiana, while they moved away. They claimed Natalia was an adult posing as a child, pointing to a court-approved change in her birth certificate that listed her birth year as 1989 instead of 2003.
Despite this, the Barnetts were charged with child neglect in 2019. Later, all charges were dropped—Michael was cleared in 2022, and Kristine’s charges were dismissed in 2023.
Kristine insisted she was innocent. She claimed Natalia misled them about her age and posed a danger to their family. According to The U.S. Sun, she portrayed herself as a victim of adoption fraud.
Where Is Kristine Barnett Now?
After divorcing Michael in 2018, Kristine moved to Florida. She has kept a low profile since her legal troubles ended. While she has spoken publicly about the case before, she has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
With the release of Hulu’s Good American Family, Kristine’s story is once again under scrutiny. As People reports, the dramatized version of events has renewed public debate..
Where Is Natalia Grace Today?
Following her abandonment by the Barnetts, Natalia was taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, another Indiana couple. However, reports surfaced claiming that they were controlling, which led Natalia to leave their home.
As of 2025, she is living with the DePaul family, who have since adopted her. Natalia continues to share her side of the story and advocate for herself, using her platform to raise awareness about adoption and disability rights. For more details on Natalia’s life today, Investigation Discovery continues to follow her journey.
Final Thoughts
The case of Natalia Grace and Kristine Barnett remains one of the most debated adoption stories in recent history. With Natalia continuing to speak out and a Hulu series dramatizing the events, public interest in the case shows no signs of fading.
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