IN - Couple charged with abandonment of adopted child after legally changing her age, Sept 2019

[Errrr]

Not sure why Dupauls haven't adopted her? She certainly looked a lot younger back then. She's aged over the years. If she is 30 now, she would be an adult even back then and clearly she didn't look like an adult at all. I don't understand how Barnetts managed to legally change her age and by such a large number of years.

If they really thought they had been conned by an adult, why didn’t they call the police and have her deported?
I just realized why they declared her to be 22! It would mean she entered the country as an adult so that when she came to the attention of authorities, she would get deported! Is that why they let her rent lapse?

 

[Errrr]

There is a different pattern of inheritance between the two types of dysplasia. One is dominant (she would have to inherit one gene from one parent), and the other is recessive (she would have to inherit two genes, one from each parent). If both her parents were of normal statute (which I am assuming, although I don't know) then she likely has diastrophic dysplasia.

There is an extremely high incidence of birth defects in the Ukraine. It’s not necessarily inherited. *Nuclear fallout*

 

[jjenny]

If they really thought they had been conned by an adult, why didn’t they call the police and have her deported?
I just realized why they declared her to be 22! It would mean she entered the country as an adult so that when she came to the attention of authorities, she would get deported! Is that why they let her rent lapse?

What is her legal status in the US now? She is legally considered a 30 year old adult. Yet she came here as a child to be adopted. She is also living with a family that couldn't get legal guardianship of her because she is supposedly an adult. What a mess.

 

[mickey2942]

What is her legal status in the US now? She is legally considered a 30 year old adult. Yet she came here as a child to be adopted. She is also living with a family that couldn't get legal guardianship of her because she is supposedly an adult. What a mess.

It really depends, she probably has the paperwork done as a Legal Permanent Resident, which allows her to receive benefits like food stamps, have a Social Security number.

Natalia is not in danger of being deported, even if her citizenship paperwork has not been done. I doubt that she has any felony convictions. And, there are potential issues that she would not be granted citizenship on her own, with the substantial issues around her mental disorders that are documented, questions regarding her age, and if she has been unethical.

That being said, this would all be cleared up if the adoptive parents are found guilty of creating the problems. Natalia would be eligible for citizenship on her own merit. I doubt that the Barnett's completed the legal adoption in the United States, they were too busy trying to get rid of her.

 

[squareandrabbet]

Of course the Barnetts turned that into “Two courts RULED she was an adult!”

The Barnetts were counting on laypeople being idiots who know nothing about the jurisprudence system; thus not being able to derive anything wrong with their leading description of events.

They were counting on more people thinking that this means a trial by jury, instead of thinking along the lines of family court (though even that is somewhat odd, as you would think that individuals who had appeared before a family court judge themselves, of which the U.S. must have considerable, would be able to figure this out from the description of activities).

They were also counting on the press's decision to report upon this in the most sensationalist terms possible, and to prejudge the case also. "Made a career of maintaining her fake age" - what gall! Getting a doctor with clearly zero specific training in musculoskeletal issues to treat her for sniffles, etc., and then calling that individual "her doctor", like the individual was lovingly and artfully chosen for her as a specialist, in much the manner that lots of individuals with no better knowledge (and I count my own family amongst some of them, lol), clearly think that "a lawyer" can do and knows everything from writing your will to contesting your unemployment claim to representing you in your divorce.

 

[gitana1]

The lawyer says they tried to get the decision reversed in the original court that ruled N. was an adult. But he lost the case. So court made a ruling that N. was an adult and refused to change it back.
"Troemel lost the case there, so the girl is still legally 30."
Attorney who represented Michael and Kristine Barnett’s daughter disputes parents age claim

I do not see anywhere that the guardianship judge made a ruling that N was an adult. The original court issued a ruling. The second failed to reverse it. It’s actually not clear though whether when he went back to Marion county to get the age reversed whether he went to the same court as the one that issued the first decision or whether he simply applied for a guardianship there and tried to have it reversed through that court. If the latter I don’t think they really had the power to reverse it.

It kind of sounds like he challenged the decision in the same court. But I’m not sure how. It wasn’t an appeal. Was it a set aside based on fraud or just a new application to change the age back? If it was a new application it would be very hard to get a court to reverse its own decision (even if there were two separate judges. They respect what the previous judge has done). They’d have to be able to prove the fraud and at the time I doubt the attorney had all the info available now.

But I don’t see anything showing a second court actually ruled N was an adult for the second time. If that’s what you’re saying can you direct me to the right quote?? Thank you!!

 

[gitana1]

I gotta admit, reading that, gutted me and brought tears to my eyes

It sucks. Reading about her hopeful optimism and dedication hurts my heart too.

 

[gitana1]

If she did, he might declare her 16 again so she can’t!

Ha ha!

However, in Indiana minors can sue people. I think I read the age at 14 and up.

 

[jjenny]

I do not see anywhere that the guardianship judge made a ruling that N was an adult. The original court issued a ruling. The second failed to reverse it. It’s actually not clear though whether when he went back to Marion county to get the age reversed whether he went to the same court as the one that issued the first decision or whether he simply applied for a guardianship there and tried to have it reversed through that court. If the latter I don’t think they really had the power to reverse it.

It kind of sounds like he challenged the decision in the same court. But I’m not sure how. It wasn’t an appeal. Was it a set aside based on fraud or just a new application to change the age back? If it was a new application it would be very hard to get a court to reverse its own decision (even if there were two separate judges. They respect what the previous judge has done). They’d have to be able to prove the fraud and at the time I doubt the attorney had all the info available now.

But I don’t see anything showing a second court actually ruled N was an adult for the second time. If that’s what you’re saying can you direct me to the right quote?? Thank you!!

I am not making a claim that a second court ruled N. is an adult. The way I read the linked article, the lawyer went to the original court to try and reverse the ruling that made N. an adult, and lost the case. If the court refuses to reverse its decision, how exactly is this girl supposed to get her age changed back?

 

[mickey2942]

I am not making a claim that a second court ruled N. is an adult. The way I read the linked article, the lawyer went to the original court to try and reverse the ruling that made N. an adult, and lost the case. If the court refuses to reverse its decision, how exactly is this girl supposed to get her age changed back?

File an appeal. That would go to the district court above the judge who made the decision. Not sure if there is a time limit for filing an appeal.

 

[Meloni88]

Ugh, going over the doctor's note again. A "neuropsychologist" noted "secondary sexual characteristics" and this "signifies adult sexual development". What the actual F? It signifies adolescent development. This whole thing reads like justification for sex abuse. I had a pervy relative who would make sexual comments about me and touched me inappropriately on several occasions and he just loved to make a big deal about me having pubic hair as if it meant I wasn't a child anymore, just like Michael has done repeatedly when talking about Natalia's puberty symptoms. My abuser did this to justify his gross behaviour and thoughts and groom me into thinking it was normal for me to be objectified and leered over because I was growing up.

 

[ioethe]

Ugh, going over the doctor's note again. A "neuropsychologist" noted "secondary sexual characteristics" and this "signifies adult sexual development". What the actual F? It signifies adolescent development. This whole thing reads like justification for sex abuse. I had a pervy relative who would make sexual comments about me and touched me inappropriately on several occasions and he just loved to make a big deal about me having pubic hair as if it meant I wasn't a child anymore, just like Michael has done repeatedly when talking about Natalia's puberty symptoms. My abuser did this to justify his gross behaviour and thoughts and groom me into thinking it was normal for me to be objectified and leered over because I was growing up.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I hope you're doing OK.

I must admit it crossed my mind that this is why they're reaching so hard to make her an adult.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Ugh, going over the doctor's note again. A "neuropsychologist" noted "secondary sexual characteristics" and this "signifies adult sexual development". What the actual F? It signifies adolescent development. This whole thing reads like justification for sex abuse. I had a pervy relative who would make sexual comments about me and touched me inappropriately on several occasions and he just loved to make a big deal about me having pubic hair as if it meant I wasn't a child anymore, just like Michael has done repeatedly when talking about Natalia's puberty symptoms. My abuser did this to justify his gross behaviour and thoughts and groom me into thinking it was normal for me to be objectified and leered over because I was growing up.

Reading crap like this makes my blood boil. Makes me wish I lived in a world where I could ask your uncles address and show up at his door with a baseball bat.
That never should have happened to you and I’m so sorry it did.

 

[Amonet]

[QUOTE="Meloni88, post: 15544208, member: 253434"]Ugh, going over the doctor's note again. A "neuropsychologist" noted "secondary sexual characteristics" and this "signifies adult sexual development". What the actual F? It signifies adolescent development. This whole thing reads like justification for sex abuse. I had a pervy relative who would make sexual comments about me and touched me inappropriately on several occasions and he just loved to make a big deal about me having pubic hair as if it meant I wasn't a child anymore, just like Michael has done repeatedly when talking about Natalia's puberty symptoms. My abuser did this to justify his gross behaviour and thoughts and groom me into thinking it was normal for me to be objectified and leered over because I was growing up.[/QUOTE]

BBM. I don't see what it has to do with a neuropsychologist anyway? Wouldn't that normally be the endocrinologist's department?

As you say, secondary sex characteristics generally appear well before the age of 20, so there's no way that it supports the age change. It is 'spin' to say it signifies 'adult sexual development', the same way the 'adult teeth' are spun out of N being in the process of losing deciduous teeth and the emergence of permanent teeth, which again normally does happen before the age of 20.

 

[Meloni88]

It's such a s***ty, unscientific, transparently deceptive choice of words. What is "adult sexual development"? If you're an adult you're not developing sexually, you're finished developing. If you google "adult sexual development" and you get a bunch of info about menopause and low testosterone lol

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

Pastor of Barnetts' adopted daughter guest on 'Dr. Oz Show'

On the show, Dr. Mehmet Oz asks the girl's pastor, Steven Thomas, how old he thought she was.

“I would say mid to later 20s, if I was to guess,” Thomas responded, according to a video clip in the promotional email.

SMH. These people. I wonder how old he would guess genius brother is,based on his observations. Fifty,eighty, on par with Methusela.
MOO

 

[kaen]

It really depends, she probably has the paperwork done as a Legal Permanent Resident, which allows her to receive benefits like food stamps, have a Social Security number.

Natalia is not in danger of being deported, even if her citizenship paperwork has not been done. I doubt that she has any felony convictions. And, there are potential issues that she would not be granted citizenship on her own, with the substantial issues around her mental disorders that are documented, questions regarding her age, and if she has been unethical.

That being said, this would all be cleared up if the adoptive parents are found guilty of creating the problems. Natalia would be eligible for citizenship on her own merit. I doubt that the Barnett's completed the legal adoption in the United States, they were too busy trying to get rid of her.

If she was adopted after 2001 when the automatic citizenship rule took effect, she receives automatic citizenship. Full stop. The visa she traveled on IR3 or IR4 sets out what procedures need to happen. On an IR3, the adoption was finalized in her home country and she becomes a US citizen as soon as she steps on US soil with a citizenship paper arriving in approx. 1 month from arrival (It seems like you do travel to see your child in Ukraine so most kids probably come in on an IR3). If on an IR4, the adoption is finalized in receiving state and then she is automatic citizen and you need to submit a N600.

The Barnett family was not her first adoption. In FL, the process is this: The Florida Adoption Finalization Hearing Process. Step 1: Be sworn in with your adoption attorney and social worker. Step 2: Answer a few questions asked by the judge about your adoption journey, providing for your child and more. Step 3: Witness the signing of the final decree of adoption by the judge.
Her citizenship can't be rescinded. (American Adoptions - Adoption Finalization in Florida | Complete Your FL Adoption). I had read something about a NH family and the process to finalize there is: The final legal step you’ll need to complete for your child’s New Hampshire adoption process is the adoption finalization stage. Adoption finalization signifies that your child is a legally recognized, permanent member of your family. You’ll be granted the final decree of adoption and legal parental rights at this time. The adoption finalization doesn’t occur until about six months after placement with your child. American Adoptions - Adoption Finalization in New Hampshire | Complete Your NH Adoption

 

[gitana1]

I am not making a claim that a second court ruled N. is an adult. The way I read the linked article, the lawyer went to the original court to try and reverse the ruling that made N. an adult, and lost the case. If the court refuses to reverse its decision, how exactly is this girl supposed to get her age changed back?

Got it. I wasn’t totally sure.

I don’t know. I think after the criminal case they’d have to do a set aside based on fraud. In many states there are strict time limits for motions to set aside a judgment. Except in cases of fraud.

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

If they really thought they had been conned by an adult, why didn’t they call the police and have her deported?
I just realized why they declared her to be 22! It would mean she entered the country as an adult so that when she came to the attention of authorities, she would get deported! Is that why they let her rent lapse?

The level of counculating manipulation is pure evil.

 

[Meloni88]

Yeah I'm sure they were trying to go through the proper channels to reverse it, then it became apparent exactly what the Barnetts had done so the prosecutor had to take over and here we are.