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
-
Faith leaders discuss ways to stop suicides in Black community
More that 400 Black Hoosiers have died by suicide since 2018. Some Black faith leaders are now making mental health a priority in their community.
City of Lawrence taking first steps to create ‘Critical Response Team’
The City of Lawrence has launched a 'Critical Response Team' improve police transparency and accountability by partnering officers with community leaders across eight neighborhoods.
Events lineup for Juneteenth celebrations in Indy
The 8th annual Indy Juneteenth celebration to extend to the Indiana State Fairgrounds with six events throughout June.
New victim identified from Fox Hollow Farm
The latest identification brings the total number of victims identified to 10. This marks another step toward bringing closure to families of victims who have remained unidentified for decades.
