The Journey of Natalia Grace: A Complex Story of Adoption and Struggles
Natalia Grace, who moved from Ukraine to the United States as a child in 2008, has been part of multiple adoption stories throughout her life. Born in 2003, Natalia was first adopted by Dyan and Gary Ciccone. They brought her to New Hampshire, but their journey as her adoptive parents ended soon after due to her challenging behavior, leading them to give up their parental rights.
In 2010, Natalia found a new family with the Barnetts, who had three sons. However, soon doubts began to surface about her true age. The Barnetts became concerned that Natalia was older than her stated birth year, primarily because of physical signs. They petitioned a court in Indiana to change her legal age from 2003 to 1989, raising significant questions about her childhood.
The Barnetts accused her of having harmful intentions towards their family. In 2013, they moved Natalia into her own apartment while they relocated to Canada, ending direct contact with her.
After being left alone, Natalia made a friend in Cynthia Mans, who quickly welcomed her into her home with her husband and their children. In 2023, Natalia was adopted by the Mans family, but tensions grew, leading her to leave their home unexpectedly in December of that year.
Currently, Natalia is living with the DePaul family, who had shown interest in adopting her earlier in her life. Her experiences are featured in her ongoing docuseries, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, now available on streaming platforms. A limited series about her life, titled Good American Family, is set to premiere in March 2025, featuring actors like Ellen Pompeo.
The Barnetts: Who Are They?
Kristine and Michael Barnett welcomed Natalia into their family in 2010, joining their sons, Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan. The family lived together in Indiana until they moved to Canada in 2013, primarily for their son Jacob’s academic pursuits.
During their time with Natalia, the Barnetts reported troubling behaviors and asserted their belief that she was of adult age. Remarkably, some medical professionals even suggested that Natalia was a sociopath. The Barnetts faced legal challenges, and in 2019, they were charged with neglecting a dependent, although Michael was found not guilty, and Kristine’s charges were ultimately dropped in 2023.
What Happened to the Mans Family?
After Natalia’s departure from the Barnetts, she found solace in the home of the Mans family. They supported her through the Barnetts’ legal troubles and eventually adopted her in 2023. However, as seen in her docuseries, conflict arose, leading to her decision to leave.
Natalia shared that she struggled with independence and faced rigid control over her personal life. With help from her boyfriend, she escaped from the Mans family less than three weeks before Christmas in 2023, marking another twist in her complex journey.
As her life continues to unfold, Natalia’s story stands as a reflection of resilience and the search for belonging amidst tumultuous experiences.
