The Dismissed Charges And New Life Of Kristine Barnett: Where Is She Now In 2025?

As of December 2025, the name Kristine Barnett remains synonymous with one of the most bizarre and highly publicized adoption cases in modern history: the saga of Natalia Grace. After years of intense public scrutiny, documentary features, and criminal charges, the former Indiana mother and celebrated author has largely retreated from the spotlight, but her legal and personal journey has seen significant, definitive developments in the past two years. Her life today is marked by the resolution of her criminal case and the continued efforts to maintain her version of events against the backdrop of ongoing media attention.

The core of the controversy—whether her adopted daughter, Natalia Grace, was a six-year-old child with a rare form of dwarfism or, as Kristine and her ex-husband Michael Barnett claimed, a sociopathic adult woman—has captivated audiences worldwide. With the legal battles now resolved in her favor and a new Hulu limited drama series, Good American Family, on the horizon, the question of Kristine Barnett’s current whereabouts and professional status is more relevant than ever. This is a deep dive into her life after the dismissal of her high-profile criminal charges and her current activities.

Kristine Barnett: A Biographical Profile

Before the international scandal that defined her public image, Kristine Barnett was known in educational and parenting circles as a dedicated mother and advocate for special-needs children. Her background establishes her as a figure once celebrated for her unique approach to raising her children.

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• Full Name: Kristine Barnett (often mistakenly searched as "Christine Barnett").
• Previous Occupation: Educator, author, and parenting expert.
• Founding Role: In 1996, Kristine founded Acorn Hill Academy, a daycare and school in Indiana, which focused on nurturing both typical and special-needs children.
• Notable Publication: She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius (published 2013/2014).
• Family Life: She has three biological sons, including Jacob Barnett, an autistic savant whose early life and exceptional intellect were the subject of her acclaimed memoir, The Spark.
• Marital Status: She and Michael Barnett, her ex-husband and co-adopter of Natalia Grace, divorced. Michael filed for divorce in 2014, and the separation was finalized in 2018.
• The Adoption: In 2010, Kristine and Michael adopted Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born girl with a form of dwarfism.

The Aftermath: Legal Battles and Dismissed Charges

The highly complex and controversial case surrounding Natalia Grace reached a critical, final chapter for Kristine Barnett in 2023. The legal proceedings were a central focus of public debate and media coverage for several years.

The Barnetts faced accusations of neglect after they successfully petitioned an Indiana court in 2012 to legally change Natalia's birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively re-aging her from a child to an adult.

The couple then moved to Canada, leaving Natalia in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana. This action led to criminal charges years later.

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The Neglect of a Dependent Charges

In 2019, both Kristine Barnett and Michael Barnett were charged with multiple counts of neglect of a dependent. The charges hinged on the allegation that they abandoned a dependent child, regardless of the court-ordered age change.

The legal outcomes for the former couple were separated due to their divorce and subsequent trials:

• Michael Barnett's Verdict: Michael Barnett was tried first and was found not guilty by a jury in 2022.
• Kristine Barnett's Outcome: The charges against Kristine Barnett were officially dismissed in March 2023. This dismissal effectively ended the criminal legal proceedings against her related to the Natalia Grace case.

The dismissal of the charges against Kristine Barnett marked a major turning point, legally validating her freedom from prosecution in the matter. Despite the legal resolution, Kristine has consistently maintained her innocence throughout the entire ordeal, claiming she was the victim of a calculated deception by an adult masquerading as a child.

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Life Beyond the Headlines: Author, Advocate, and Public Scrutiny

Following the dismissal of the charges, Kristine Barnett’s life has stabilized, though she remains a figure of intense public interest due to the continuing media coverage of the case. Her current life is a blend of private existence and public defense of her past actions.

Maintaining Her Narrative

While the Investigation Discovery docuseries, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, garnered massive attention for its focus on Natalia's perspective and claims of abuse, Kristine Barnett chose not to participate. She has instead used her own platforms and legal representation to challenge the allegations made against her and Michael Barnett, often referring to the evidence she claims proves Natalia was an adult at the time of the adoption.

The case continues to generate buzz, with a new scripted limited series, Good American Family, which is set to premiere in 2025. This renewed focus ensures that Kristine’s name and the details of the adoption scandal will remain in the public consciousness for the foreseeable future.

The Continued Legacy of 'The Spark'

Despite the controversy, Kristine Barnett's legacy as a parenting figure, primarily through her work with her son Jacob Barnett, continues. Her book, The Spark, which details her journey in raising a child diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome to become a physics prodigy, is still a reference point for parents of gifted and special-needs children. This earlier life as an inspiring author and founder of Acorn Hill Academy stands in stark contrast to the sensationalized headlines of the adoption scandal.

Natalia Grace’s Current Status: A Relevant Entity

The current life of Natalia Grace, the other central figure in the controversy, provides context for Kristine’s new reality. Natalia has found stability, living in upstate New York with the DePaul family, Nicole and Vince, who also have a form of dwarfism. Reports indicate that Natalia is now pursuing her GED, taking driving lessons, and aspiring to become a school teacher. This life of normalcy for Natalia, who was born in Ukraine, is a significant part of the story’s resolution, separate from Kristine Barnett's life.

Kristine Barnett Now: A Private Life After Public Resolution

Today, Kristine Barnett is focused on rebuilding her life away from the daily glare of the media. The legal dismissal in 2023 was a critical step in allowing her to move forward. While she is no longer married to Michael Barnett and the family dynamic has been irrevocably changed, she has achieved a legal resolution that affirms her freedom. Her current activities are likely centered on private life, family support, and continuing to defend her reputation against the persistent public narratives fueled by the true-crime genre.

The story of Kristine Barnett is a cautionary tale about the complexities of adoption, the power of media narrative, and the long road to legal closure. Her life now is a quiet postscript to a sensational story, defined by the finality of the court’s decision and the enduring legacy of her past as both a celebrated author and a controversial figure.