The captivating tale of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with a unique dwarfism condition, has taken a dramatic turn as her former adoptive family accused her of masquerading as a child. This intriguing narrative continues to draw attention and spark curiosity.
A captivating new documentary titled The Curious Case of Natalia Grace : The Final Chapter uncovers even more unexpected developments in Grace’s intriguing journey. The Investigation Discovery series is premiered on January 6 and 7, wrapping up the first two seasons of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (2023) and its follow-up, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace : Natalia Speaks (2024).
What Is Natalia Grace Doing Now ?
Natalia Grace is now residing in upstate New York, as revealed in the docuseries, alongside a couple named Nicole and Vincent DePaul, both of whom share her experience of dwarfism. After facing challenges with a series of adoptions, Grace found a new home with the DePauls, where she is embraced and supported.
Who Were Natalia Grace’ Former Adoptive Parents ?
Grace’s journey started in Indiana with the Barnett family. In 2010, Michael Barnett and Kristen Barnett welcomed Grace into their home, joining their three biological sons. As Michael detailed in the docuseries, Grace’s Ukrainian birth certificate listed her date of birth as September 4, 2003, at the time of her adoption.
In the docuseries, Michael revealed that the family started to believe Grace was an adult masquerading as a child, even going so far as to accuse her of attempting to harm them. “Words cannot capture the daily, overwhelming terror we endured and lived with,” Michael expressed in one episode.
Four months after the adoption, Michael revealed in the docuseries that Grace instigated conflict with his children by concealing their toys and tossing them into the street, even going so far as to urinate on his youngest son. He also recounted an incident where Grace leapt from his moving car in a public setting, attempting to portray herself as a “poor, helpless little girl.”
In the second season of the docuseries, Grace confronted the Barnetts’ assertion that they discovered her at the foot of their bed one night, knife in hand. Grace firmly contended that this scenario was implausible, citing her weak grip and the fact that she couldn’t even see over the height of their bed frame.
Grace and the Barnetts have both firmly rejected the allegations made against them. In the docuseries, Grace specifically addressed claims that she attempted to poison Kristine by adding a cleaning product to her coffee, asserting, “I want to kill you.” Grace contended that it was Kristine who had physically assaulted her and that Kristine coerced her into spraying cleaner into her cup for the purpose of creating a fabricated scene for the camera.
Natalia Grace Age
Grace has asserted that she was a minor when she was adopted. In 2019, NBC News acquired court documents indicating that hospital records, taken two years apart, estimated her age to be 8 and 11. A dentist featured in the docuseries noted that, based on X-rays from 2011, Natalia appeared to be around 8 or 9 years old at that time.
In 2012, the Barnetts altered Grace’s birth certificate to show a birth year of 1989, as mentioned in the docuseries. During one episode, Grace underwent a DNA test that suggested her age was roughly 22, implying she was indeed a child at the time of her adoption.
The Barnetts secured an apartment for Grace to reside in independently while they relocated to Canada, leaving her behind, as detailed in court documents. Michael and Kristine, who subsequently divorced, faced felony charges for neglecting a dependent. In 2022, Michael was acquitted, and in 2023, the charges against Kristine were dropped.
Kristine Barnett chose not to comment on the docuseries, although she previously referred to it as a “highly sensationalized show” in a now-deleted Facebook post. She emphasized that Grace “was a deeply cherished and well-cared-for member of my family,” asserting that the discipline she employed was “very minimal” and “well within the norms of typical parenting.”
Furthermore, Kristine expressed her concern, stating, “It is troubling that these unfounded allegations are surfacing after a trial where the evidence was dismissed. It feels as though one is presumed guilty despite having been proven innocent.”
Natalia Grace’ Next Adoptive Parents
In June 2023, Grace found her forever home with Antwon and Cynthia Mans, a couple from Indiana who already had a large family. During the first season of the docuseries, Michael shared that the Mans met Grace when she was living independently and welcomed her into their home just three days later.
“Being adopted is an incredible experience, especially when you discover that ideal family,” Grace expressed in the Season 2 finale. However, just six months post-adoption, Antwon and Cynthia, now residing in Tennessee, reached out to the producers with concerns.
“Something isn’t right with Natalia, this girl is acting erratically. I feel like she’s the adversary in our home… It’s as if we’re the ones being targeted,” Antwon stated in a recorded conversation featured in the series.
Cynthia added during the call, “Natalia is betraying her family over a total fabrication.”
Antwon continued, “She’s done other things as well, but this is a new low. Natalia only cares about herself. We’re finished. We’re done with her.”
Who Are The Current Guardians of Natalia Grace ?
In 2009, New York residents Nicole DePaul and Vincent DePaul sought to adopt Grace, believing she was meant to be part of their family, as revealed in a compelling docuseries.
The series captures a pivotal moment when Nicole and her adult daughter traveled to Tennessee, where they encountered Grace outside a church, accompanied by her adoptive parents. Seizing a brief opportunity, Grace excused herself to use the restroom, then discreetly slipped outside and left with the DePauls.
However, the journey was not without its challenges, as the documentary illustrates the tensions that arose between Grace and the DePauls. Nicole expressed her disapproval regarding Grace’s choice to allow Cynthia Mans to manage her disability benefits.
In a candid moment, Grace confided in Nicole about alleged abuse by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, yet she later retracted those claims when speaking to the filmmakers. Attempts to gather comments from both the Mans and DePaul families yielded no response from the Mans, while Nicole opted not to comment further.
By the conclusion of the docuseries, Grace finds herself in a harmonious living situation with the DePauls. Reflecting on the experience, Nicole enthusiastically stated, “Would I do it all over again? Hell, yeah! It was worth it!”
Grace, sharing her perspective, remarked, “I didn’t have a normal childhood — I had my childhood ripped from me. I left the nest to explore. It feels really good to know that, yeah, I can actually do this.”