The story of Natalia Grace is a complex and controversial case that has puzzled the public for years. It involves an adoption, allegations of deception, legal battles, and a shocking twist that continues to unfold even today. What really happened to Natalia Grace, and where is she now? Let’s dive deep into her extraordinary story.
The Adoption That Started It All
Natalia Grace’s journey began when she was adopted from Ukraine in 2010 by Michael and Kristine Barnett, an Indiana-based couple. The Barnetts believed they were welcoming a 6-year-old orphan into their home. However, not long after the adoption, they started to suspect that Natalia was not who she claimed to be.
Natalia Grace was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism that affects bone growth. Despite this, the Barnetts noticed behaviors and physical developments that led them to question her actual age. They claimed that she had adult teeth, menstruation, and a vocabulary far beyond what a young child should have. These observations led to growing suspicions that Natalia was not a child but an adult woman posing as one.
The Allegations Against Natalia Grace
Michael and Kristine Barnett made shocking claims against Natalia. They alleged that she had violent tendencies, attempting to harm them and their biological children in various ways. The Barnetts accused Natalia of trying to poison Kristine by putting bleach in her coffee, pushing her into an electric fence, and even making threats to kill them while they slept.
Natalia Grace accusations led to a bizarre turn of events in 2012. The Barnetts legally petitioned to have Natalia’s birth year changed from 2003 to 1989, reclassifying her as a 22-year-old adult instead of a child. The court granted this request, which led to Natalia being legally recognized as an adult. This decision had life-altering consequences for her, as it meant she was no longer entitled to child welfare services or protection as a minor.
The Abandonment and Legal Battle
After successfully changing Natalia’s age, the Barnetts rented an apartment for her in Lafayette, Indiana, and moved to Canada with their biological children. They left Natalia to fend for herself, claiming that, as an adult, she could live independently. However, Natalia, who still insisted she was a child, struggled to take care of herself and was left without proper support.
Authorities eventually took notice of the situation, leading to charges of child neglect against the Barnetts in 2019. They were accused of abandoning Natalia, who they once called their daughter, despite still legally being responsible for her. The case went to trial, where Michael Barnett was acquitted of all charges in 2022, and the case against Kristine was later dismissed.
Natalia’s Perspective: The Other Side of the Story
While the Barnetts presented Natalia as a manipulative adult pretending to be a child, Natalia and others who supported her told a different story. She continuously denied the allegations that she was an adult and maintained that she was a young girl at the time of adoption.
After being left to live alone, Natalia eventually found a new home with Antwon and Cynthia Mans, an Indiana couple who took her in in 2013. The Mans family treated Natalia as their daughter, and she continued to live with them for several years. Unlike the Barnetts, the Mans claimed Natalia never exhibited violent or threatening behavior and insisted she was a child who had been unfairly abandoned and accused.
In 2019, Natalia made a public appearance on “Dr. Phil,” where she shared her side of the story. She expressed confusion and sadness over the claims made by the Barnetts and denied any malicious intent. Cynthia Mans, who appeared on the show alongside Natalia, supported her statements and criticized the way she had been treated.
A New Beginning: Life with the DePaul Family
In December 2023, Natalia took another major step in her journey. She left the Man’s household and moved in with the DePaul family in upstate New York. The DePauls had a history with Natalia, as they had initially tried to adopt her in 2009 before the Barnetts were chosen.
The DePauls, like the Mans family, did not believe Natalia was an adult at the time of her adoption. They described her as a kind and loving individual who had never displayed any violent behavior. Nicole DePaul commented, “She’s also never done one violent thing ever. Our dogs love her and they sleep with her.”
Since moving in with the DePauls, Natalia has been working to rebuild her life. She started therapy to heal from past traumas and has taken steps toward education, with hopes of becoming a teacher. In an interview, she shared her thoughts on her new environment, saying, “I feel free. I love it here.”
Media Coverage and Public Fascination
Natalia’s story has been widely covered in the media, with multiple documentaries and series dedicated to unraveling the mystery surrounding her.
Natalia Grace In 2023, Investigation Discovery released a docu series titled “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,” which explored the controversial adoption and the allegations made by the Barnetts. The show presented evidence from both sides, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions about the truth.
In another major development, Hulu is set to release a dramatized series titled “Good American Family,” starring Ellen Pompeo as Kristine Barnett. The series, premiering in March 2025, aims to portray the case through a fictionalized lens while capturing the complex themes of deception, trust, and the consequences of media scrutiny.
A Shocking New Twist in Natalia’s Story
Despite settling into a new life with the DePauls, Natalia’s story took another unexpected turn. In a surprising phone call, Antwon Mans, her previous guardian, contacted the DePauls, expressing concerns about Natalia. He claimed that she had accused the Man’s family of holding her hostage, a statement that contradicted her earlier assertions.
This revelation has left many questioning the reliability of Natalia’s statements and the true nature of what happened in her past. Was she a victim of a massive misunderstanding, or is there still more to the story that has yet to be uncovered?
The Bigger Picture: A Case That Raises Important Questions
Natalia Grace’s case is more than just a sensationalized story—it highlights critical issues surrounding adoption, disability rights, and how the legal system determines identity. The fact that a court legally changed her birth year based on subjective observations raises serious concerns about the handling of adoption cases and the safeguards in place for vulnerable individuals.
This case also sheds light on the impact of media on public perception. The conflicting narratives, combined with the dramatic portrayals in documentaries and TV shows, have made it difficult to discern the truth. While some see Natalia as a victim of a cruel injustice, others remain skeptical of her story.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now?
As of 2024, Natalia Grace continues to live with the DePaul family in upstate New York, working on building a future for herself. She remains steadfast in her claim that she was just a child when she was adopted and is focused on moving forward despite the controversies that have followed her for years.
Natalia Grace story remains one of the most perplexing adoption cases in recent history, leaving the world to wonder: Will the full truth ever be known? One thing is for certain Natalia Grace’s story is far from over.
