Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian woman born with diastrophic dysplasia, has been the subject of intense media scrutiny since her adoption saga began in 2010. After being adopted by Indiana couple Kristine and Michael Barnett, Natalia's life took a dark turn that raised persistent questions about identity, neglect, and the complexities of familial relationships.
Natalia was initially adopted from Ukraine by a New Hampshire couple in 2008, but by 2010, they had decided to relinquish their parental rights. Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted her later that year, bringing her to Hamilton County, Indiana under the impression that she was around six years old, despite her birth certificate identifying her as born in 2003.
However, the Barnetts quickly voiced doubts regarding Natalia's age. They claimed that her behavior and physical characteristics led them to believe she was significantly older. This culminated in their petition to change her birth year from 2003 to 1989—an action facilitated by an Indiana court that did not appoint a guardian representative for Natalia during the proceedings.
"Kristine coached me to lie about my age and say I tried to murder my parents," Natalia told People, reflecting on her traumatic childhood. This dramatic twist set the stage for a troubling relationship between Natalia and her adoptive parents.
After the court's ruling, the Barnetts moved Natalia into her own apartment, assisting her with obtaining disability payments while ultimately severing communication with her. Just after the couple moved to Canada with their biological children, a new chapter began for Natalia when she befriended Antwon and Cynthia Mans, who would later adopt her.
From 2014 to 2017, the Mans tried to secure legal guardianship of Natalia, but faced challenges linked to the Barnetts' controversial actions. Their attempts were obstructed when Michael Barnett contested their application, citing Natalia's altered age.
In September 2019, Kristine and Michael Barnett were charged with neglect concerning their treatment of Natalia. Amidst mounting public interest, a gag order was imposed on the couple due to media frenzy surrounding their case. As Kristine wrote on Facebook, the narrative surrounding Natalia transformed into a spectacle reminiscent of the 2009 horror film "Orphan," where a child who appears to be a girl is actually an adult female posing as one. In interviews with outlets like Daily Mail and Good Morning America, she highlighted concerns about Natalia's behavior, claiming the young girl attempted violent actions against her and the family.
In a stark contrast, during a 2019 interview with Dr. Phil, Natalia staunchly denied all accusations regarding her behavior or intentions. "I didn’t understand why I was alone. I just knew I had this instinct in me to push and survive," she expressed.
The situation culminated in a highly publicized court case for neglect that saw Michael Barnett acquitted in late 2022. Meanwhile, Kristine's charges were dismissed prior to her trial due to insufficient evidence, further complicating the focus on the Barnetts' narrative.
Recent developments in 2023 saw Natalia's birth year reverted to 2003 following DNA tests. Perhaps the most surprising detail is that, as of March 2025, Natalia has transitioned into a new life, living with Nicole and Vincent DePaul, a couple who also have dwarfism, while pursuing her high school diploma.
Reflecting on her journey, Natalia expressed a sentiment of optimism: "It’s been a big learning curve for me. For the most part, I’ve made peace. It is definitely a blessing to be alive today. And there’s nothing I can do to change the past." Currently, she is also attempting to foster new relationships, having fallen in love.
The dramatized retelling of Natalia's story, titled "Good American Family," is now available for streaming on Disney+, though viewers are reminded to take the narrative with a grain of salt, as the series is largely fictionalized and intended to explore themes of bias and trauma.
The portrayal of Natalia’s ordeal raises significant questions: How does society navigate the complexities of adoption, identity, and abuse? And perhaps more critically, what happens to those left behind in narratives that often oscillate between victim and villain?
Though she has faced unimaginable hardship, Natalia Grace's story is one of resilience, survival, and hope as she charts a new course for her life far removed from her tumultuous past.
