Current:Home > StocksNatalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Natalia Grace Docuseries: Why the Ukrainian Orphan Is Calling Her Adoptive Mom a "Monster"
View Date:2024-12-23 23:10:17
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! (696)
Related
- Bears fire offensive coordinator Shane Waldron amid stretch of 23 drives without a TD
- Collin Gosselin Says He Was Discharged from the Marines Due to Being Institutionalized by Mom Kate
- American Supercar: A first look at the 1,064-HP 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Thursday August 15, 2024
- Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
- Police identify suspect in break-in of Trump campaign office in Virginia
- Jordan Chiles, two Romanians were let down by FIG in gymnastics saga, CAS decision states
- Federal agency says lax safety practices are putting New York City subway workers at risk
- Democrat Cleo Fields wins re-drawn Louisiana congressional district, flipping red seat blue
- How you can get a free scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins Wednesday
Ranking
- Missing Ole Miss student declared legally dead as trial for man accused in his death looms
- Get Designer Michael Kors Bags on Sale Including a $398 Purse for $59 & More Deals Starting at $49
- Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee resigns after federal bribery charge
- 2nd man charged in 2012 killing of retired Indiana farmer who was shot to death in his home
- Amazon Prime Video to stream Diamond Sports' regional networks
- Giants trading Jordan Phillips to Cowboys in rare deal between NFC East rivals
- Efforts to return remains, artifacts to US tribes get $3 million in funding
- Police identify suspect in break-in of Trump campaign office in Virginia
Recommendation
-
Trump ally Steve Bannon blasts ‘lawfare’ as he faces New York trial after federal prison stint
-
Pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked road near Sea-Tac Airport to have charges dropped
-
Julianne Hough Shares She Was Sexually Abused at Age 4
-
Meta kills off misinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle despite pleas from researchers, journalists
-
Voters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term
-
Detroit judge sidelined for making sleepy teen wear jail clothes on court field trip
-
'Rust' movie director Joel Souza breaks silence on Alec Baldwin shooting: 'It’s bizarre'
-
Lady Gaga’s Brunette Hair Transformation Will Have You Applauding