Neglect charges against Kristine Barnett for abandoning Ukrainian orphan dismissed
Ron Wilkins
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Kristine Barnett's neglect of a dependent criminal charges started with a flood of media attention from U.S. and European outlets in September 2019 and ended Friday with a mild-mannered motion to dismiss.
"(T)he State of Indiana of Indiana by Patrick K. Harrington, Prosecuting Attorney, … respectfully moves to dismiss all counts herein as the State believes there would be insufficient evidence at trial to prove the charges in this case beyond a reasonable doubt."
Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer signed the order Friday morning, ending the Barnett's three-and-a-half year legal saga. Kristine Barnett's trial was scheduled to begin on April 10.
Harrington offered no additional statements other than the motion filed Friday.
The Journal & Courier left messages for Barnett's attorneys asking for comment. They have not returned the calls.
Couple adopts Ukrainian orphan expecting a child
In 2010, the Kristine Barnett and her now ex-husband, Michael Barnett, adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with severe dwarfism. Her Ukrainian records indicated that she was born in September 2003, but the Barnetts told news outlets that they believed her to be much older.
Kristine and Michael Barnett both said Natalia had pubic hair and menstrual cycles when they adopted her, which led them to believe she was not 7 or 8 years old.
They also accused Natalia of trying to harm them and threatening to kill them and their biological children.
Barnett case explained:Cases involving Kristine Barnett, Michael Barnett filled with twists and turns
Court alters birth year for Natalia
In June 2012, the Barnetts petitioned for a Marion County court to alter Natalia's Ukrainian birth records. The court changed her birth year from 2003 to 1989.
The court held hearings without giving Natalia the benefit of being represented by legal counsel, and it changed her birthyear, making her 22 — almost 23 — instead of 8 going on 9, according to court documents.
Leaving Natalia in Lafayette, Barnetts move to Canada
After re-aging Natalia, the Barnetts set her up with federal assistance, then later moved her into a Lafayette apartment in July 2013, according to court documents.
With her new age, Natalia was almost 24 when she moved to Lafayette. Based on her birth records, she was a few weeks shy of being 10.
After moving Natalia to Lafayette, the Barnetts moved to Canada with their biological sons, the oldest of whom was a prodigy and starting college in Canada at 15, according to previous reports.
Since Natalia is considered an adult, none of the allegations of child neglect against the Barnetts can be considered, according to court rulings.
The court also dismissed four charges of neglect of a dependent because the statute of limitations had expired.
Facing a decision to drop the four remain charges of neglect based on Natalia's age or going forward with the neglect charges based on her disability, prosecutors continued to pursue the charges.
Neglect chargesbased on Natalia Grace Barnett's age dismissed against mom accused of abandoning her in Lafayette
Charges, media blitz and gag order
Prosecutors initially filed charges against the Barnetts on Sept. 11, 2019, and the case spawned news reports from outlets across the country and in Europe.
Kristine Barnett is the author of "The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius and Autism," and the neglect charges cast her in a light that contrasted her book.
Michael Barnett made several appearances on national television talk shows after the charges were filed, and Kristine Barnett appeared on two shows.
Six weeks after the case was filed, the media coverage became so intense that Meyer issued a gag order barring any of the defendants, the prosecutors, the attorneys and Natalia from speaking about the case.
Natalia appeared on Dr. Phil after the gag order was issued, but the show was pre-recorded before the order was published.
Michael Barnett's trial for neglect
A jury acquitted Michael Barnett of neglect of a dependent on Oct. 27, 2022, after a trial included testimony from Natalia.
The trial:Natalia Barnett testifies against adoptive father in trial alleging neglect
Acquittal:Michael Barnett acquitted of neglecting adopted daughter, Natalia
Jurors took a little more than two hours to find Michael Barnett not guilty.
Michael Barnett began to sob at the defense table as the verdicts were read in open court.
Michael Barnett cried as he left the courtroom with his right arm wrapped around his wife, and his left arm encircling his mother.
"It's over," Michael Barnett's wife reassuringly said as they walked through the throng of reporters to the elevator.
At the end of his trial, Michael Barnett was served with a subpoena ordering him to testify against Kristine Barnett.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.