But there was also a backlash - when claims surfaced Ms Barnett and a friend had made the whole story up - to get items they could sell online.
They are claims she strongly denies.
"The truth will come out, because, I've got nothing to hide," says Ms Barnett.
Ms Barnett DOES admit - that in the past - she did on-sell items donated to her by charity the Koha Shed.
"When I worked for the Koha Shed, and we were told not just myself but all the workers at the Koha Shed, we were told if we ever need to sell something that we were given, because it's donated stuff given free, to get our family a loaf of bread and milk - then do so," says Barnett.
The Koha Shed says that's not the case - in fact it also gives out food.
"Our policy for all items donated to the koha shed is that they are given freely and they are given to those in need. We do not allow people to resell. If people are caught selling they are banned for three months," says Sherron Sunnex, founder of the Koha Shed.
Ms Barnett donated some of the toys, gifted to Gabi, to patients at Whanganui Hospital's children's ward.
She says the whole town bullying episode has taken its toll - and she's now feels nervous going to the supermarket.
"When this dies down they will go onto someone else, and they have made people feel like absolute crap. Some people have left the town because they can't handle it. It reminds me of days of our lives," says Ms Barnett.
As for the school Ms Barnett's daughter attends - it won't talk about the specifics of the case - but says it has clear policies in place to manage bullying.
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