TIPPECANOE COUNTY — Three years after the case was opened, a Tippecanoe County jury found a man not guilty on four neglect charges in connection to his adopted daughter.
Michael Barnett was acquitted of neglect of a dependent, neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and conspiracy to commit neglect of a dependent.
Michael Barnett and his now ex-wife Kristine Barnett were both charged in September 2019 with multiple counts of neglect related to their adopted daughter Natalia, who came to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2010.
In 2012, the Barnetts, who have other children and are now divorced, had Natalia's age changed in Marion County Probate Court from her real age of eight to 22 and told the girl to say she was 22 if anyone asked.
Court documents claim the pair rented an apartment for Natalia in Lafayette in 2013 and left her there, alone, while they moved out of the country with the rest of the family.
Michael told detectives that his wife had told the child to tell others that she "looks young" but was actually 22, according to court documents,
In February 2022, four counts of neglect of a dependent were dismissed against Michael, online court records show.
The jury trial began on Oct. 24 after several delays.
PREVIOUS | Father claims adopted daughter was really an adult with dwarfism who tried to kill his family
WRTV's Rafael Sanchez spoke to Michael Barnett in October 2019.
Kristine's trial is scheduled to begin in February 2023, online court records show.
PREVIOUS: Attorney: Man accused of abandoning girl from Ukraine says adoption was a fraud | Indiana couple accused of abandoning adopted daughter and moving to Canada | Couple accused of abandoning young girl turn themselves in
-
Caitlin Clark returns to Fever lineup, inspires fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Fans traveled from across the country to see Caitlin Clark’s much-anticipated return to the hardwood with the Indiana Fever.
The WNBA's Fever and NBA's Pacers are more than just neighbors in Indianapolis
The Pacers and Fever aren't just neighbors. They're basically basketball family. They have the same ownership, play their games in the same building, cross paths with the other all the time.
Thousands gather for 'No Kings Day of Defiance' protest in Indianapolis
As President Donald Trump plans to celebrate his birthday with a military parade in Washington, D.C., thousands of protesters have gathered at the Indiana Statehouse for "No Kings Day of Defiance."
Game 4: Thunder rally to top Pacers 111-104 and tie Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 10-point, second-half deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104 on Friday night and tie the NBA Finals at two games apiece.
