Shocking Truths Revealed in Good American Family Episode 3: Natalia Grace’s Dark Secrets!

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In simple terms, “Good Witch” (let’s call it that for brevity) delves into the intricate and debated real-life events surrounding Natalia Grace, and Episode 3 focuses on the viewpoint of her previous adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett.

For fans who’ve been with this story since the ID’s Natalia Grace docuseries premiered in 2023, it’s important to mention that Hulu’s version intends to portray both perspectives on the case.

At the beginning of every episode, a notice is given to clarify that Good American Family presents various perspectives on complex issues, and it does not aim to imply that any specific claim is the absolute truth.

This structure paves the way for a sequence that subtly intertwines truth and perspective. If you’re intrigued about how closely the show mirrors reality, we’ve dissected the crucial incidents from Good American Family Episode 3 and their resemblance to actual events. Be advised: some might find this material troubling, and spoilers are imminent.

Kristine Barnett faces charges

The narrative begins in the year 2019, not long after Kristine was taken into custody. Having secured her release on bond, she spends time with her trio of sons. Yet, upon entering their presence, she encounters them engrossed in a news broadcast concerning her case.

In a turn of events, Kristine stands accused on eight accounts of neglect due to leaving Natalia behind. Curious, Jacob queries his mother about the proof leading to Kristine’s arrest, assuming there wasn’t any truth in the allegations; however, she points the finger at their father for the predicament.

Meanwhile, let’s shift the topic. Michael seems to be relishing news with his newlywed wife, Jen. However, his moment of schadenfreude is abruptly ended when detective Brandon Drysdale calls him. The detective informs him that prosecutors are preparing to file felony charges against him as well.

Fact check

Indeed, Michael and Kristine Barnett were taken into custody on allegations of negligent treatment of Natalia, following the revelation of their actions towards her. However, it’s important to note that despite turning against one another in the proceedings, both cases ultimately had to be dropped due to a lack of substantial evidence.

Instead of following the narrative from Good American Family where Kristine is arrested at her workplace and Michael is apprehended later, things unfolded differently. On September 18, 2019, Michael voluntarily surrendered himself, while Kristine did so the very next day.

Natalia Grace age debate intensifies

In the initial two episodes of “The Good American Family”, Kristine started having doubts about Natalia’s age upon noticing she had pubic hair. These suspicions are further explored in Episode 3 of the Hulu show, taking us back to the year 2010.

As a fervent admirer, I accompanied the Barnetts to consult their family physician, Dr. Steve, regarding their daughter Natalia’s predicament. However, there was a hint of uncertainty in Dr. Steve’s demeanor about Kristine’s assertion that Natalia had reached adulthood, a sentiment echoed by Michael. What stood out to him was the urgent need for Natalia to undergo surgical intervention, emphasizing the gravity of her situation.

Kristine and Michael are taken aback by this revelation. Given that they had parted with $7000 to First Path Adoption Center for procedures they believed were performed on Natalia, the fact that she shows no signs of scarring from these surgeries due to her rare form of dwarfism comes as a surprise.

This revelation causes Kristine to confess to Michael that First Path is dealing with a class action lawsuit due to their practice of guaranteeing the same child to several families, which could imply human trafficking, as well as altering birth certificate details.

In this scenario, she employs evidence to support her claim: that Natalia is actually an adult pretending to be a child. Although Michael remains skeptical, Steve undergoes a shift in opinion. He confesses his remorse for disregarding his intuition regarding his autistic son Jacob and wishes to rectify this mistake with Natalia by offering some referrals.

Over the next few weeks, Natalia will be seeing specialists such as orthopedists, endocrinologists, neuropsychologists, and a dentist. As reported by Kristine, these professionals all agree that Natalia’s skull size and teeth are similar to those of an adult, suggesting she has already gone through puberty.

Additionally, she asserts that no matter which strategy or routine she has attempted, there seems to be no significant improvement in Natalia’s conduct.

Fact check

Based on court documents from 2019 (the affidavit of probable cause filed in Indiana’s Tippecanoe County), it is stated that Kristine and Michael took Natalia to see medical specialists. However, a doctor’s estimate from 2010 places Natalia’s age around eight years old at the time.

Later in June 2012, a skeletal assessment was conducted on Natalia at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. This examination suggested that she was around 11 years old.

In the intriguing story of Natalia Grace, it was discovered through intensive examinations that she possessed features typically found in children, such as baby teeth and a juvenile skeletal structure, while living with the Barnetts.

Since then, her original birth year of 2003 has been legally recognized again, which makes her 21 years old as of March 2025. This means that when the Barnetts placed Natalia in an isolated apartment on her own, she was only nine years old.

To elaborate further, I’m part of an imaginary group known as First Path Adoption. As per Michael’s account, the entity that placed Natalia with us didn’t provide much advance notice – just a 24-hour heads up. Moreover, they weren’t very forthcoming with information about her background.

Sociopathy vs RAD

In the third episode of Good American Family, Kristine and Michael contemplate seeking help from a counselor. The therapist suggests that Natalia’s actions might indicate antisocial personality traits, as she has reached the age of majority.

If she’s a child, it’s possible she might be suffering from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), an uncommon mental health issue that affects young ones, making it difficult for them to establish normal emotional connections with caregivers, frequently because of past neglect or mistreatment.

It appears that the most plausible theory is that Natalia spent her early years in an orphanage in Ukraine before moving to the U.S., subsequently being shuffled between various households. However, Kristine leans towards the belief that she might be a sociopath instead.

However, she’s facing off against Michael, who prefers to explore the idea of reattachment therapy instead. This method, while demanding in terms of time, could be highly beneficial as it aims to reprogram a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder’s brain by instilling the concept that their affection is secure.

The process entails caring for a person as if they were an infant, regardless of their actual age. This includes providing nurturing care similar to that of a newborn and offering them food through bottles.

When Michael attempts to proceed with his action, Natalia firmly refuses and exclaims, “I’m not an infant.” Despite her disability, Kristine encourages Natalia to go for a walk around the block in hopes of discovering her age.

Afterward, she searches the internet for information on adoption scams, and subsequently files a request for Natalia’s international birth certificate records.

Subsequently, she proceeds with some household chores, and as she’s tidying up Natalia’s laundry, she discovers a set of stained socks concealed within the cupboard, leading her to believe that Natalia has begun menstruating.

Fact check

The portrayal of sociopathy versus Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in Good American Family is one of the show’s more authentic elements. Despite the Barnetts asserting that Natalia was a sociopath who was deceiving them, medical experts never confirmed her as having this disorder.

In the intriguing tale of Natalia Grace, as expressed in her own words, legal expert Beth Karas notes that a diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) was given to Natalia around the year 2010.

Regarding the assertion that Natalia experienced her period, it should be noted that this is merely Kristine’s claim. No reliable medical evidence exists to confirm that Natalia menstruated while she was living with the Barnetts.

Michael Barnett grapples with the truth

In the latest episodes of Good American Family, I’ve been grappling with the reality that my dream job at Circuit City might be slipping away. As the story unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for me to share this heartbreaking news with my partner, Kristine.

In my enthusiasm, I managed to persuade him to lay bare the truth. As the sun began to set, I found myself seated outside our shared abode, meticulously crafting the words that would follow. Yet, as Kristine chauffeured Natalia back from school, she subtly started questioning her about the mysterious stains on her socks.

As the conversation veers towards her menstrual cycle, Natalia becomes increasingly agitated. In a moment of impulse, she leans towards Kristine, blocking her vision, which ultimately leads Kristine to crash into a mailbox.

I dash over to check out the situation, yet Natalia swears her innocence, stating that she acted this way merely because “mommy was being unkind.

As a gamer, I (Kristine) felt the chills of an all-too-familiar dread creeping up my spine. Enough was enough, and it was time for a change. With determination in my heart, I packed a bag and made my way to Val’s place, where our boys were eagerly waiting.

Val greeted me with a warm smile, but her eyes spoke volumes as she compared my current situation to the spine-tingling plot of a horror movie she had recently read: Orphan. The parallels were uncanny, and it sent a shiver down my spine. But I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, just like the protagonist in that story.

At a later time, Kristine participates in an interview conducted by Channel 11, visiting her home to gain insights into her experiences in nurturing Jacob, a gifted child boasting an IQ of 170.

Everything seems to be progressing well, but then Kristine notices an item in the backdrop – a used tampon with bloodstains. Later on, she challenges Natalia in front of Michael, alleging that she intentionally left it there to undermine the interview.

She exclaims, “Children aren’t skilled at manipulation like this. You’re not seven, own up to it. What is your age?” Before declaring that “it’s time for a change.

Kristine opts for a novel approach: “Tough Love for Teenagers,” a method devised by a former military officer. She instructs Natalia to tidy the kitchen, but when she rebels and refuses, Kristine makes her stand against the wall while Kristine records the scene instead.

As I’m chatting with Natalia, she casually mentions that Michael’s been pulling a fast one on her, claiming he lost his job. Intrigued, I decide to take another stroll around the block and do a quick search. Lo and behold, it turns out that what Natalia said was spot on!

Fact check

The challenge of portraying domestic disputes on the television program lies in the fact that it’s primarily based on accusations. This is why they have chosen to present different viewpoints instead. (or: The issue with showing home arguments on the TV series is that it relies heavily on allegations, so they are opting for a multi-perspective approach.)

It’s clear that Michael faced difficulties in his professional life following the shutdown of Circuit City, while Kristine did participate in discussions or interviews regarding Jacob.

In addition, there are videos that depict Kristine disciplining Natalia by forcing her to stand against a wall, as portrayed in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. However, the exact implications of this strict parenting method are yet to be fully understood.

Poisonings and paperwork

Kristine receives a letter from Homeland Security, but just as she’s about to share the news with Michael, Natalia returns and announces that she’s prepared to tidy up now.

Meanwhile, Natalia cleans a table in the kitchen, Kristine receives a call from a New York producer requesting an interview with her and Jacob for their TV show. While chatting, she moves towards the kitchen and takes a drink from her mug, but quickly spits it out instead.

In a different phrasing, Kristine reveals to Michael a letter containing a copy of Natalia’s birth certificate, which she believes proves that Natalia tried to deceive them as the image on it does not resemble her at all. However, Michael remains uncertain, suggesting it might have just been an unfortunate mistake. This uncertainty prompts Kristine to present the evidence in order to convince him.

“She admitted to pretending to be another person’s child,” she said. Michael remains vigilant with Natalia and leads her up to a higher level. Upon examining the birth certificate, Kristine finds an address in New Jersey.

This version attempts to simplify the original sentence structure while maintaining its meaning. The aim is to make it easier for readers to understand and follow the narrative flow.

In Episode 3 of Good American Family, the narrative shifts to New York City, where the Barnett family has journeyed for their job interview. Upon arrival at the hotel, Kristine decides to take a detour and visit the previous home of Natalia’s former adoptive parents.

Immediately upon hearing Natalia’s name, the woman closes the door on her. However, once threatened with a call to the authorities, she consents to have a conversation instead.

Kristine begins questioning her on topics such as her surgeries, First Path, and details from Natalia’s past. However, the woman seems evasive, giving the impression that she’s afraid of being overheard.

She suggests that you might want to inquire about it from Natalia, she says. However, Kristine queries if she could be involved somehow. Yet, the woman clarifies, “I didn’t mean to cause any harm. I was simply trying to safeguard my own family.

Fact check

The poisoning event bears a striking resemblance to the claims by Kristine and Michael that Natalia intentionally contaminated her adoptive mother’s drink with bleach. Yet, it’s important to note that no proof has ever emerged supporting the occurrence of such an incident.

The disagreement lies in the birth certificate presented on Good American Family, as Kristine argues that the photograph doesn’t resemble Natalia. However, upon closer examination, the image shown in the documentary series, which the Barnetts claimed was not a likeness of Natalia, does in fact bear a resemblance to her.

To add to the discussion, it’s important to mention that although Michael seems deeply affectionate and guardian-like towards Natalia in Good American Family, in reality, he harbored similar suspicions towards her. Even after their separation, many of Kristine’s allegations found validation with him.

What happens at the end of Good American Family Episode 3?

Back in the gaming den before my upcoming TV chat, Kristine dropped a bombshell on me: “Dude, it’s way more serious than we assumed. She’s been pulling the wool over our eyes.

As reported by her previous guardians, Natalia is apparently participating in a scheme with First Path to have her healthcare costs reimbursed – this despite her being an adult. Nevertheless, Michael remains skeptical about these accusations.

In the heat of their dispute, Kristine discloses that she’s aware he’s been deceiving about his job, and it was Natalia who tipped her off. She then proposes a new strategy: upon returning home, she intends to have Natalia admitted into a psychiatric hospital.

Michael firmly opposes the idea, opting instead to care for Natalia at home personally. What was initially a disagreement escalates into a loud argument, making it slightly uncomfortable when a production team member enters and announces that they are needed on set.

They presented a unified image before the cameras while the host emphasized the significance of an “ideal American household.

Stream the first three episodes of “Good American Family” on Hulu now, with episode 4 coming out on April 2nd. In the meantime, delve into the enigma of the Natalia Grace case that remains unsolved, understand why Kristine attracted controversy for promoting the show, and discover whether Cynthia and Antwon Mans, who later adopted Natalia, ever served time in prison.

The aim is to keep the meaning intact while making the sentence more engaging and easier to read by using a conversational tone and shorter sentences.

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2025-03-26 10:20