5 Shocking Facts About Kristine Barnett’s Life After The Natalia Grace Case Dismissal

The dramatic and highly publicized case of Kristine Barnett and her adopted daughter, Natalia Grace, has finally reached a definitive legal conclusion, marking a new chapter for the Indiana mother. As of late 2023 and into the current year, the most significant legal development is the dismissal of all neglect charges against Kristine, a decision that followed the acquittal of her ex-husband, Michael Barnett. This outcome brings a fresh perspective to a controversial story that captured global attention, centered on the Barnetts' claim that their adopted Ukrainian child, Natalia, was not a minor but an adult with dwarfism who was masquerading as a child.

The saga, which was the subject of multiple documentaries, saw the Barnetts charged with neglect of a dependent after moving to Canada and leaving Natalia behind in a Lafayette, Indiana apartment in 2013, having legally had her age re-determined from 8 to 22 years old in 2012. Now, with the legal battle concluded in her favor, many are asking: What exactly happened to Kristine Barnett, and what is her life like today in December 2025?

Kristine Barnett: A Biographical Profile and Legal Timeline

Kristine Barnett is a former Indiana resident and a figure who gained national recognition first as the mother of a child prodigy and later as the central figure in a sensational neglect case. Her life story is a complex tapestry of advocacy, motherhood, and legal drama.

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• Full Name: Kristine Barnett (Maiden name not widely published).
• Occupation: Author, Former Daycare Founder, Advocate for Children with Disabilities, Writer, and Activist.
• Former Spouse: Michael Barnett (Divorced in 2018).
• Biological Children: Jacob Barnett (Autistic child prodigy), and two other sons.
• Adopted Child: Natalia Grace (Adopted in 2010).
• Notable Work: Author of the 2013 memoir, The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism, which details her journey raising her son, Jacob.
• Legal Charges: Charged in 2019 with multiple counts of neglect of a dependent related to Natalia Grace.
• Legal Outcome (Latest Update): Charges were officially dismissed in 2023 due to insufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Current Status: She is reportedly still living in Indiana and is active on social media, advocating for children with disabilities.

The Legal Labyrinth: Why Kristine Barnett’s Charges Were Dismissed

The entire case hinged on a single, pivotal question: Was Natalia Grace a minor child when the Barnetts moved to Canada, or was she, as they claimed, an adult? The legal system's handling of this question ultimately led to the dismissal of Kristine's charges, a critical and current development in the saga.

The Michael Barnett Precedent

The first crack in the prosecution's case came with Kristine's ex-husband, Michael Barnett. In October 2022, Michael Barnett faced a jury trial on the neglect charges. He was ultimately found not guilty. This verdict was a significant blow to the prosecution's case against Kristine, as both were charged under similar circumstances related to the same dependent. The jury's decision likely stemmed from the medical and legal evidence presented by the Barnetts that Natalia was an adult, not a child, when they moved.

Insufficient Evidence and Case Dismissal

Following Michael's acquittal, the case against Kristine Barnett continued to unravel. Her trial was scheduled for April 2023, but it was canceled. In a major legal victory, the charges against Kristine were formally dismissed by the court. The official reason was a lack of sufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. This dismissal meant Kristine would be spared the same trial her ex-husband endured, effectively ending the criminal proceedings against her and closing the chapter on the neglect allegations that had shadowed her for years.

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Kristine Barnett Now: Life as an Author and Advocate in 2025

With the legal turmoil behind her, Kristine Barnett has focused on her personal life, her family, and her role as a public advocate. Her life today is a return to the identity she cultivated before the Natalia Grace controversy exploded in the media: that of a dedicated mother and a voice for special needs families.

Return to Advocacy and Public Life

On her public social media profiles, Kristine is open about her focus on advocacy. As recently as March 2024, she described herself as an "Author, Loving Mother, Advocate for Children With Disabilities, Writer, & Activist." This aligns with her previous work, where she founded Acorn Hill Academy, a charitable community center for special needs children and their families in Indiana, and her high-profile support for her son Jacob.

The narrative Kristine presents is one of a mother who successfully nurtured her son, Jacob Barnett, a child who was diagnosed with severe autism but went on to become a physics prodigy with an IQ reportedly higher than Albert Einstein's. Her memoir, The Spark, remains a testament to her belief in nurturing a child's unique passion to overcome developmental challenges.

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The Barnett Family Dynamic

Kristine and Michael Barnett finalized their divorce in 2018, prior to the charges being filed. Despite the legal separation and the shared ordeal of the neglect case, both are reportedly still living in Indiana. Their biological children, including Jacob, have largely remained out of the public eye regarding the Natalia Grace case, though Jacob's story was the focus of Kristine's initial fame. The focus for Kristine now appears to be on maintaining her role as a loving mother to her sons and continuing her work as a writer and advocate.

The Unresolved Natalia Grace Story

While the criminal case against the Barnetts is closed, the core of the controversy—Natalia Grace's true age and identity—remains a subject of public debate. Natalia has since appeared in her own documentary, presenting her side of the story and maintaining that she was a child when the Barnetts adopted her. However, the legal system, in dismissing Kristine's charges, essentially acknowledged that the prosecution could not definitively prove the Barnetts acted criminally, suggesting the defense's claim of Natalia being an adult was a compelling factor.

For Kristine Barnett, the dismissal of charges is a full exoneration from the legal perspective, allowing her to move forward without the threat of jail time or a criminal record. She continues to leverage her platform as an author and advocate, signaling a desire to leave the sensational headlines of the Natalia Grace case behind her and focus on her established work with children with disabilities.