No it actually is based on fact and not opinion. We saw the probable cause affidavit as well as her petition for name change. We also read the letter from the Barnett's doctor.
Two, separate doctors two years apart actually analyzed her age and determined she was a child. One was an endocrinologist. Both exams were at hospitals.
Here is the evidence that Kristine Barnett presented to get the age change, as shown by the petition she submitted to the media:
1. She was adopted from the Ukraine on 7-9-08 by the Ciccones. An adoption agency contacted the Barnetts to possibly adopt the child because her original adoptive parents could no longer care for her.
2. After placement with them they began to notice unusual behaviors and physical characteristics.
3. She had pubic hair and a menstrual cycle which she had hidden from them at the beginning of her placement.
4. The Barnetts were concerned that the child was not 7 due to the following:
a. Her ability to hide her physical characteristics.
b. Statements by her of detailed, alleged abuse.
c. Her differing "stories" of timelines.
d. Her level of intelligence. [And note, this is a woman who has a brilliant child who navigated his family through the streets of Chicago by himself at age 3, and who says children's "spark" needs to be nurtured].
e. Her level of ability to "act" differently in different situations.
f. Her level of ability to manipulate.
g. Her extensive vocabulary.
h. Her physical characteristics [undefined].
5. Her behaviors escalated into "dangerous" behaviors [undefined] throughout that first year of placement and the Barnetts sought help from numerous professionals. Two are listed. The famous doctor and a private LSCW.
6. The LCSW and Dr. McLaren "believe" she is physically a developed adult more appropriately OVER 22 years of age. Here is a photo of her a couple months later, supposedly OVER 22 here.
View attachment 209262
Mother claims Ukrainian adopted daughter, 9, was 22 and had dwarfism | Daily Mail Online
Note: There is no mention of any diagnostic criteria used to form that "belief" and no statements that the professionals actually
determined her age. There is no way an attorney would leave that info out if true.
7. They attached a "
letter" to support the "belief" of either the LSCW or Dr. McLaren. That's what's referenced. No medical reports or psych reports of any kind are listed.
8. Previously mental health clinics/hospital wards will no longer admit her. It appears here they are saying because the clinics/wards do not believe she is a child. Again, no reports attached or referenced.
9. A change of birth date could enable N to utilize adult mental health providers.
10. A change of birth date can allow her to apply for an qualify for government assistance.
11. A change of birth date could provide "additional means" to the Barnetts that are otherwise not available to them.
IN - Couple charged with abandonment of adopted child after legally changing her age, Sept 2019
That's it. Nothing more. Remember, this was an uncontested petition as the only one who could have contested it was N and there is no evidence she contested it.