Current:Home > reviewsIndexbit Exchange:Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster" -USAMarket
Indexbit Exchange:Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-10 09:54:41
Natalia Grace is Indexbit Exchangespeaking 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! (98)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Russia invades Ukraine as explosions are heard in Kyiv and other cities
- FAA toughens oversight of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner
- 2 Sudan generals are at war with each other. Here's what to know.
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- The Biggest Bombshells From Paris Hilton's New Memoir
- He reinvented himself in Silicon Valley. Ex-associates say he's running from his past
- These $33 Combat Boots Come In Four Colors and They Have 7,500+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Welsh soccer club Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, promoted after winning title
Ranking
- Small twin
- Nearly $15 million of gold and valuables stolen in heist from Toronto's Pearson Airport
- My Holy Grail NudeStix Highlighter Is 50% Off Today Only: Here's Why You Need to Stock Up
- Reneé Rapp Is Ready to Kiss or Lick Anybody to Get OG Mean Girls Cast to Return for Musical
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Kendall Jenner Reflects on Being a Baby at Start of Modeling Career
- Facebook takes down China-based network spreading false COVID-19 claims
- Happy Science Fiction Week, Earthlings!
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Whodunit at 'The Afterparty' plus the lie of 'Laziness'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Japan as he considers presidential bid
Justice Department asks Congress for more authority to give proceeds from seized Russian assets to Ukraine
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Review: 'Horizon Forbidden West' brings a personal saga to a primal post-apocalypse
Food Network Judge Catherine McCord Shares Her Kitchen Essentials for Parenting, Hosting & More
DOJ arrests New York couple and seizes $3.6 billion in bitcoin related to 2016 hack