The saga of Natalia Grace has gripped the world with its twists, turns, and unanswered questions. Was she a helpless Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, abandoned by her adoptive parents, or an adult con artist masquerading as a child? Her story, explored in Investigation Discovery’s docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, blends true crime intrigue with human drama. In this detailed blog post, we’ll dive into the Natalia Grace true story, her age controversy, her adoptive families, where she is now, and answers to the most-searched questions about her life as of February 20, 2025.
Who Is Natalia Grace? The Beginning of a Bizarre Tale
Natalia Grace was born September 4, 2003, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, to her biological mother, Anna Volodymyrivna Gava. Diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism affecting bone growth, Natalia spent her early years in an orphanage after her mother relinquished parental rights due to her disability. In 2008, she arrived in the U.S. through international adoption, first living with a New Hampshire couple, Dyan and Gary Ciccone, who soon gave her up citing behavioral issues.
Her life took a dramatic turn in April 2010 when Michael and Kristine Barnett, an Indiana couple with three biological sons, adopted her from a Florida agency. The Barnetts believed they were welcoming a 6-year-old girl into their home. However, within months, they claimed Natalia wasn’t a child at all—but a dangerous adult posing as a minor. This accusation sparked one of the most perplexing adoption stories in modern history.
The Barnett Controversy: A Child or a Con Artist?
The Barnetts’ allegations were chilling. They claimed Natalia exhibited adult traits—pubic hair, menstruation, and a vocabulary beyond a child’s years. They accused her of violent acts: standing over their bed with a knife, attempting to poison Kristine’s coffee with cleaner, and pushing Kristine toward an electric fence. Michael later alleged Natalia threatened to stab their sons and bury them under the deck.
In June 2012, the Barnetts petitioned a Marion County, Indiana, court to change Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively “re-aging” her from 8 to 22. Shockingly, the court approved this with little evidence beyond the Barnetts’ claims. In July 2013, they rented an apartment for Natalia in Lafayette, Indiana, moved their family to Canada, and left her alone. At the time, neighbors reported a small, disabled girl struggling to fend for herself—hardly the image of a cunning adult.
The Barnetts faced legal scrutiny in 2019 when charged with neglect of a dependent. Prosecutors uncovered hospital records estimating Natalia’s age as 8-11 between 2010-2012, and a dentist confirmed her 2011 X-rays showed baby teeth, aligning with a child’s age. Michael was acquitted in October 2022, and charges against Kristine were dropped in March 2023. Kristine maintains Natalia was never abused, calling her a loved family member, while Michael now blames Kristine’s “manipulation” for their actions.
The Age Mystery Solved: Scientific Proof Emerges
The burning question—“How old is Natalia Grace really?”—found an answer in August 2023. A DNA test by TruDiagnostic, featured in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, estimated Natalia was approximately 22 years old, confirming she was about 6-9 during her time with the Barnetts. This corroborated Ukrainian birth records and her mother’s identity, proving she was a child when abandoned. Natalia herself said, “This one piece of paper throws every lie the Barnetts said into the trash with a match.”
Life with the Mans Family: A New Chapter Turns Sour
After the Barnetts left, Natalia was taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, a religious couple in Indiana, in 2014. Initially portrayed as saviors in Natalia Speaks (2024), they adopted her legally. However, the story darkened in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter (January 2025). Allegations surfaced of financial and physical abuse:
- Financial Exploitation: Natalia’s $700 monthly disability benefits allegedly went to the Manses, with no savings for her. Claims suggest they profited from fostering multiple children, including Natalia’s TV earnings.
- Physical Abuse: Witnesses, including a foster child of the Manses, alleged Cynthia hit Natalia with a belt and slapped her face. Natalia denied this on camera but reportedly confided otherwise to friends off-screen.
Tensions escalated over Natalia’s relationship with her boyfriend, Neil, and her desire to meet her Ukrainian mother. In mid-2024, Natalia fled the Manses’ Tennessee home with help from Vincent and Nicole DePaul, a couple with dwarfism who’d known her since 2009. The escape, captured on drone footage, marked another dramatic shift.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now in 2025?
As of February 20, 2025, Natalia lives with the DePauls in upstate New York. At 21 years old, she’s rebuilding her life:
- Education: Homeschooled previously, she’s studying for her GED.
- Independence: She’s learning to drive and managing her own finances for the first time, thanks to the DePauls’ support.
- Dreams: Natalia aspires to be a grade school teacher and celebrated her 21st birthday in September 2024 with two parties, even getting a tattoo reading “trust no one” in Ukrainian.
In a rare PEOPLE interview (January 2025), Natalia said, “I’m just a normal girl with dreams… I want to take control of my life.” She’s distanced herself from the Manses, who declined to address abuse allegations on The Final Chapter.
Related Search Questions Answered
Here’s what people are asking about Natalia Grace, with detailed answers:
- What Is Natalia Grace’s True Age?
- Confirmed via DNA in 2023, she was born in 2003, making her 21 in 2025. She was 6-9 during her Barnett years, debunking adult claims.
- Did Natalia Grace Try to Harm the Barnetts?
- The Barnetts’ accusations (poisoning, knife threats) lack evidence beyond their testimony. Natalia denies them, claiming Kristine coached her to lie. No charges were substantiated.
- Why Did the Barnetts Abandon Natalia?
- They believed she was an adult posing as a child, citing her behavior and physical traits. Michael later said Kristine feared bad publicity if Natalia died under their care. Critics argue it was neglect of a disabled child.
- What Happened to Michael and Kristine Barnett?
- Divorced in 2018, Michael was acquitted of neglect in 2022, while Kristine’s charges were dropped in 2023. Kristine remains silent; Michael apologized to Natalia on camera.
- Is Natalia Grace Safe Now?
- Living with the DePauls, she appears to be in a supportive environment, free from past turmoil, as of early 2025.
- Was Natalia Grace Inspired by Orphan?
- The 2009 film Orphan, about an adult posing as a child, parallels her story. Cynthia Mans suggested Kristine drew inspiration from it, though no direct link exists. Natalia’s case predates the film’s release.
The Cultural Impact: Why Natalia’s Story Resonates
Natalia Grace’s tale has spawned three TV seasons, a Hulu series (Good American Family, upcoming), and endless debate on X and Reddit. It taps into adoption fears, disability stigma, and the quest for truth in a post-Tiger King true crime boom. Her resilience—surviving abandonment, legal battles, and media scrutiny—makes her a polarizing yet inspiring figure.
Conclusion: A Story Without End
The Natalia Grace true story is a rollercoaster of deception, survival, and redemption. From a Ukrainian orphanage to American headlines, her journey defies easy answers. As of February 2025, she’s rewriting her narrative, no longer the “monster” some painted her to be. What’s next for Natalia? Only time will tell, but her voice is finally being heard. For the latest updates, stream The Curious Case of Natalia Grace on Max, and let us know your thoughts—does this saga still leave you questioning?
