Kristine Barnett Wiki, Age, Husband, Daughter, Kids, Profession & More

All About Natalia Grace’s Adoptive Mother Kristine Barnett

Kristine Barnett (age 49, born in April 1974), a well-known advocate for autistic children’s education and author, gained attention when her son Jake enrolled at Purdue University at a remarkably young age. She’s been sharing her homeschooling techniques for Jake, who has autism, across the country.

However, the situation took a serious turn when Kristine and her former husband, Michael Barnett, faced neglect charges for leaving their adopted daughter Natalia Grace, whom they brought from Ukraine in 2010, in an Indianapolis apartment in 2012.

There’s controversy as the Barnetts changed their adopted daughter’s age from 11 to 22 on official documents before moving to Canada for Jake’s studies. While Michael insists they paid rent for a few months, doubts remain.

In response to abuse allegations from their adopted daughter Natalia, raised in the ID docuseries ‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks,’ Kristine strongly refuted these claims in a lengthy Facebook post on January 4, 2024. She asserts neither she nor her ex-husband mistreated Grace.

Child Neglect Charges Against Kristine and Michael Barnett

In 2010, Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with health issues. However, they later claimed she was deceiving them by pretending to be a child when she was actually an adult.

The Barnetts alleged Natalia made threatening gestures, including an attempt to harm Kristine, using physical signs like body changes as proof of her supposed deception.

Natalia strongly denies these accusations about her behavior and age. After a period in a psychiatric hospital, the Barnetts became convinced Natalia was older than she claimed. They persuaded the court to legally change her age from eight to 22, adjusting her birth year from 2003 to 1989.

Following this legal change, Natalia lived in her own apartment, first in Westfield, Indiana, in 2012, and later in Lafayette, Indiana, in 2013. Subsequently, the Barnetts moved to Canada to support their oldest son’s studies, and they now face charges of child neglect

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When Were Neglect Charges Against Kristine Barnett Dismissed?

In September 2019, Michael Barnett surrendered to authorities and was released on bond while residing in Indianapolis at the time.

Three years later, he was acquitted of all charges. Natalia Grace, the adopted daughter, revealed that after the gag order was lifted, Michael reached out to her, claiming they both shared a common concern about Kristine.

Staying entangled in the legal proceedings, Kristine Barnett turned herself in shortly after Michael in September 2019. Although the charges listed an Indianapolis address, jail records indicated she was residing in Bradenton, Florida.

The situation took a turn in March 2023 when a Tippecanoe County judge dismissed all charges against Kristine. The judge cited insufficient evidence during the trial to substantiate the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Kristine’s Early Life and Educational Background

Kristine Barnett was born in April 1974 into a Christian family in Indiana, United States. Although information about her parents and siblings is limited, records indicate she grew up in eastern Indianapolis, spending her entire childhood there.

In 1992, Kristine graduated with distinction from Warren Central High School. Following this, she pursued her higher education at Purdue University. At Purdue, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in arts in 1996.

Kristine and Michael are Not Together Anymore

The marriage between Kristine Barnett and Michael Barnett began to unravel long before the allegations involving Natalia in 2019. Legal documents outline a timeline revealing the challenges in their relationship. In 2013, Michael left Canada and quietly returned to his hometown of Indianapolis.

Unexpectedly, Kristine disclosed that something significant occurred in the fall of 2013, prompting Michael to return to be with their children. Following this event, Kristine initiated divorce proceedings in February 2014, marking the formal end of their relationship.

Their divorce proceedings lasted for four years, concluding with the finalization of their divorce. Presently, Kristine resides in Indianapolis, focusing on rebuilding her life alongside her children.

Kristine Barnett FAQs

Ques: How old is Kristine Barnett?

Ans: Kristine is 49.

Ques: Where is Kristine Barnett now?

Ans: Indianapolis, Indiana, America.

Ques: How many kids does Kristine Barnett have?

Ans: Three: Jake, Wes and Evan Barnett.

Ques:When did Michael and Kristine Barnett file divorce?

Ans: No, they filed for divorce in 2014.