This week, Disney+ released a gripping new miniseries, "Uma Família Perfeita" (A Perfect Family), inspired by the controversial and heart-wrenching case of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian girl adopted by an American couple, Kristine and Michael Barnett, in 2010. Initially, the adoption seemed like a hopeful story, but it quickly escalated into a tale fraught with fear, suspicion, and ultimately, heart-wrenching consequences.
Narratively similar to the widely discussed documentary, "O Curioso Caso de Natalia Grace," the series explores the immediate family dynamics of the Barnetts, who claimed their adopted daughter exhibited behavior that led them to question her actual age and identity. After one year with the couple, the Barnetts alleged that Natalia was not a child but actually an adult posing as one, a belief intensified by her diagnosis of a rare form of dwarfism.
The drama unfolded as the Barnetts began reporting instances of Natalia's supposedly erratic behavior, asserting that she had attempted to poison Kristine and had threatened their biological children. These fears led the couple to initiate a legal round in which they successfully managed to change Natalia’s official age from eight to twenty-two in 2012, a move that legally justified abandoning her in an apartment they rented. Ultimately, they moved to Canada with their two biological sons, leaving Natalia behind.
By 2023, the saga gained renewed attention with the documentary's release on the streaming platform Max, where it was revealed that the accusations made by the Barnetts were baseless. A blood test conducted in 2024 confirmed that Natalia was indeed a child, born in 2003, which disproved the Barnetts' claims and raised questions about the couple's culpability in the abandonment.
After briefly staying with the Mans family—Antwon and Cynthia Mans—who initially took her in, Natalia ultimately found a more compassionate home with Vince and Nicole DePaul. This couple themselves are of short stature and reside in New York. They had previously expressed interest in adopting her back in 2009, years before she ended up with the Barnetts.
The DePauls provided Natalia with the stability and compassion that had been lacking in her previous environments. Nicole expressed openness and understanding, stating in an interview with Investigation Discovery, “She probably did strange things in the past? Yes. [But] when you take in a child, you take them as your own. You don’t just throw them away when they don’t fit into your puzzle.” Vince echoed her sentiments, affirming, “She is super sweet. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
In an unsettling look back, neighbors had previously described the Mans household as abusive. Some witnesses claimed to have seen instances of physical punishment towards Natalia, as well as other disturbing allegations that pointed to an atmosphere of neglect and hostility.
Eventually, as her time with the Mans deteriorated, Natalia left their home with the aid of her boyfriend, Neil, shortly before Christmas in 2023. “Something isn’t right with Natalia,” Antwon Mans was quoted as saying during the documentary, expressing his concerns about her mental state. “This girl is freaking out. I feel like she’s the enemy of the house.”
Despite such allegations, Natalia has rebounded in her new living situation with the DePauls. Nicole detailed the transition, acknowledging some turbulence at the outset due to interventions from the Mans wanting to reclaim Natalia. But as time progressed, things settled down, allowing Natalia to focus on her future. “We were just trying to help her, not control her,” she stated.
Natalia expressed gratitude for her current situation, feeling blessed to be alive today. Reflecting on her past struggles, she stated, “It’s a blessing to be alive today because, looking at myself at 7 years old, I should be dead.” This exceptionally poignant remark encapsulates the emotional cloister of her life thus far.
In pursuing her dreams, Natalia has indicated her intention to obtain her General Educational Development (GED) certification, aspiring to become a teacher—a meaningful step toward self-empowerment after the tribulations she has survived.
For viewers eager to delve into this astonishing true story, "Uma Família Perfeita" serves as both a dramatization and an exploration of identity, family, and belonging, challenging us to consider the multifaceted nature of familial love and the complexities of human relationships.
Alongside the drama, the documentary, "O Curioso Caso de Natalia Grace," reveals the heartbreaking realities behind the sensational headlines of Natalia’s life, allowing for a deeper understanding of her journey. Both series are crucial viewing for those interested in the intersection of media, family dynamics, and societal perceptions surrounding disability. The miniseries is available for streaming on Disney+, with episodes releasing weekly, while the documentary can be watched on Max, offering different perspectives about this striking case.
