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Where is Natalia Grace now years after girl's adoptive parents claimed she was a 22-year-old woman
It's been over a decade since Natalia Grace was thrust into the spotlight, accused by her former adoptive parents of being an adult pretending to be a child.
Adopted from Ukraine in 2010 by Michael and Kristine Barnett, Natalia's story turned into a national sensation in 2019 when the Barnetts were charged with neglect after leaving her in an Indiana apartment and moving to Canada.
The Barnetts claimed Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism, was actually an adult who posed a threat to their family. They went so far as to legally change her birth year from 2003 to 1989, and alleged that she had tried to harm them and their children.
Natalia has repeatedly denied those allegations, saying, “Do I look like a monster to you?” and, “They’re not going to get away with this. This is my side of the story.”
A 2023 blood test conducted by TruDiagnostic estimated Natalia’s biological age to be around 22, challenging the Barnetts’ claims and suggesting that she was in fact a child when adopted.
From abandonment to a new family
After the Barnetts left her behind in 2013, Natalia was taken in by Cynthia and Antwon Mans, who she met shortly after being moved into her own apartment. Although a court later ruled she was legally an adult, Natalia continued living with the Mans for several years and was officially adopted by them in 2023.
However, the final episode of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks revealed new strain in the relationship. “This girl is tweaking,” Antwon said in a call to the documentary producers. “She’s done other things too, but this was a new low. Natalia does not have emotions for nothing but herself.”
Cynthia added, “Natalia is stabbing her family in the back, over a complete lie!” Antwon concluded, “We’re done with her.”
Since then, Natalia has moved in with the DePaul family, friends who had previously tried to adopt her. She told PEOPLE in January 2025 that she’s now studying for her GED, learning to drive, and hopes to become a teacher one day.
“I’m a girl who loves kids and wants to get married and have children,” she said. “But one of my biggest things is not making promises I can’t keep. I’ve had too many promises that have been broken. I’m just ready to move on.”
What happened to the Barnetts?
Michael and Kristine Barnett moved to Canada in 2013 so their son Jacob could continue his education. Michael returned to the U.S. later that year and filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2018. In 2019, both were charged with neglect. While the charges related to Natalia’s age were dropped, the case moved forward on the basis of her disability.
Michael was acquitted in 2022, and Kristine’s charges were dismissed in 2023.
Despite the accusations and court battles, Natalia once said she felt love in the Barnett home. “I actually thought I had found the right family after bouncing around ... I thought I had found the right family for me,” she told Dr. Phil in 2019. She also testified in 2022, “I wanted to be with the Barnetts. I wanted to live with them.”
Still, she later told PEOPLE that she believes the Barnetts manipulated her. “Kristine coached me to lie about my age and say I tried to murder my parents,” she said. “Why would you do that to your child?”