5 Shocking Revelations About Kristine And Michael Barnett’s Life After The Natalia Grace Case

The tumultuous and bizarre case of Kristine and Michael Barnett has captivated the world, transforming them from a seemingly normal Indiana family into figures at the center of an international media storm. The core of the controversy, which continues to generate headlines even in late 2025, revolves around their 2010 adoption of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born girl with a form of dwarfism, whom they later claimed was not a child but an adult woman masquerading as a minor.

The saga of the Barnetts and Natalia Grace is a complex web of alleged adoption fraud, neglect charges, and a dramatic legal battle that has spanned over a decade. Despite the intense public scrutiny and criminal charges, the former couple has seen their legal proceedings conclude, but the questions surrounding their actions and Natalia’s true identity remain a potent source of public curiosity. This article dives into the most recent updates on Kristine and Michael Barnett’s lives, their legal outcomes, and the enduring legacy of the case.

Kristine and Michael Barnett: A Biographical Profile and Timeline

The Barnetts were, for a time, a high-profile family even before the Natalia Grace controversy erupted. Their story gained initial attention due to their son, Jacob Barnett, a recognized child prodigy.

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Kristine Barnett

• Full Name: Kristine Elizabeth Barnett
• Career: Author, educator, and former daycare operator.
• Notable Works: She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius, which details her journey raising her son, Jacob.
• Education/Early Life: In 1996, she founded Acorn Hill Academy, a daycare and school in Indiana, focused on nurturing children's natural talents.
• Legal Status: Charges of neglect of a dependent were filed against her in 2019 but were ultimately dropped by prosecutors in 2023.
• Current Status: She has maintained her innocence and has continued to advocate for her side of the story, most recently through media appearances. She lives in Indiana with her sons.

Michael Barnett

• Full Name: Michael Barnett
• Family Status: Divorced from Kristine Barnett. The divorce was filed in 2014 and finalized shortly thereafter.
• Legal Status: He was charged alongside Kristine with neglect of a dependent. Michael was found not guilty by a jury in 2022.
• Subsequent Relationships: After the divorce from Kristine, Michael reportedly married Jennifer Barnett, though that relationship is also said to have ended.
• Role in Case: Michael was a key witness in the legal proceedings, providing testimony that often contradicted Kristine's account of events, particularly regarding the alleged abandonment of Natalia.

The Core Controversy: Adoption, Age, and Abandonment

The story began in 2010 when the Barnetts adopted Natalia Grace, a six-year-old Ukrainian orphan with Spondyloepimetapysial Dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism. The family already had three biological sons, including the aforementioned prodigy, Jacob Barnett. The initial adoption was meant to be a compassionate addition to their family.

However, Kristine and Michael soon claimed that Natalia was not a child but an adult woman with malicious intent. They alleged that she exhibited behaviors inconsistent with her supposed age, including adult language, menstrual cycles, and even threats against the family. This led the Barnetts to petition an Indiana court in 2012 to legally change Natalia’s age from 8 to 22. The court granted the petition, legally making Natalia an adult.

Following the age change, the Barnetts moved to Canada with their sons, leaving Natalia to live alone in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana. They maintained that because she was legally an adult, they were not abandoning a child. This action formed the basis of the 2019 charges of neglect of a dependent brought against both Kristine and Michael Barnett by Tippecanoe County prosecutors.

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The Legal Outcomes: Did Kristine and Michael Barnett Go to Jail?

The most pressing question for those following the case is the legal accountability of the Barnetts. The outcome was highly publicized and, for many, controversial, leading to a significant public debate over the justice system’s handling of the case.

Michael Barnett’s Acquittal

Michael Barnett was the first to go to trial. In October 2022, he faced a jury in Tippecanoe County on multiple counts of neglect of a dependent. His defense argued that they genuinely believed Natalia was an adult, a belief supported by the 2012 court-ordered age change. After a brief deliberation, the jury found Michael Barnett not guilty on all charges.

Kristine Barnett’s Charges Dropped

Following Michael’s acquittal, the prosecution's case against Kristine Barnett weakened considerably. In March 2023, prosecutors formally requested that the charges of neglect of a dependent against Kristine be dismissed. The court granted the request, meaning Kristine Barnett also did not face jail time and was legally cleared of the criminal charges.

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The core reason neither Kristine nor Michael served jail time was the legal precedent set by the 2012 age change. The defense successfully argued that if Natalia was legally an adult at the time of the alleged neglect, the Barnetts could not be charged with neglecting a *dependent* (a minor). This legal loophole became the central focus of the entire case.

Where Are Kristine and Michael Barnett Now in 2025?

The former couple’s lives have diverged significantly since the legal battles and their 2014 divorce. Their current statuses reflect their separate paths and the lasting impact of the Natalia Grace saga.

Kristine Barnett’s Post-Case Life

Kristine has remained in the public eye, primarily to tell her side of the story. She has participated in documentary series, most notably the Investigation Discovery (ID) docuseries *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace*, which offered her perspective on the events. She continues to focus on her three sons, including Jacob Barnett, whose scientific career continues to be a source of pride. Kristine has consistently defended her actions, claiming she was protecting her family from a potentially dangerous individual.

Michael Barnett’s Separation from the Spotlight

Michael Barnett has largely stepped away from the media spotlight following his acquittal. After his divorce from Kristine, he remarried, though reports suggest that second marriage did not last. His primary focus appears to be rebuilding his personal life and maintaining a lower profile compared to his former wife.

The Enduring Legacy and Public Fascination

The case of Kristine and Michael Barnett vs. Natalia Grace is a modern true-crime phenomenon. It raises profound ethical and legal questions about adoption, parental responsibility, and the nature of identity. The public’s fascination is fueled by the conflicting narratives: the Barnetts’ claim of being victims of a sociopathic adult versus Natalia Grace’s assertion that she was a neglected child.

The story has been the subject of multiple docuseries and news specials, ensuring its place in the pop culture consciousness. The legal conclusion—where neither party was criminally convicted—has left many feeling that the full truth of the "adult child" controversy was never fully uncovered. The case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential dangers within the international adoption system, especially regarding children with special needs like Spondyloepimetapysial Dysplasia. The entities involved—from the Tippecanoe County court to the family’s move to Canada—have become permanent fixtures in this unsettling narrative, ensuring that the legacy of Kristine and Michael Barnett will be tied to the sensational story of Natalia Grace for years to come.