What Happened to Natalia Grace's Parents? Where Are Natalia Grace's Parents Now?
by Sangamithra | Updated Jan 03, 2024
What Happened to Natalia Grace's Parents?
Natalia Grace's adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, faced legal consequences after the controversy surrounding Natalia's age. Despite legally changing her birth year from 2003 to 1989, Natalia's DNA test eventually confirmed her true age as around 9 or 10 years old when she was left alone in Lafayette, Indiana.
In September 2019, Michael and Kristine were charged with child neglect. Michael faced multiple counts, including neglect causing bodily injury, but by February 2022, four neglect counts were dismissed against him. In October 2022, Michael was found not guilty of the remaining charges. Charges against Kristine were dropped in May 2023.
The Barnetts divorced in 2020, and Michael resides in Indiana, while Kristine lives in Florida. The complex legal proceedings unfolded against the backdrop of the contentious claims about Natalia's age and behavior, as explored in the documentary series "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks."
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Where Are Natalia Grace's Parents Now?
Kristine and Michael Barnett, the adoptive parents of Natalia Grace, faced a tumultuous journey that led to divorce in 2020. Natalia, a Ukrainian-born girl, gained global attention when the Barnetts claimed she was an adult with psychiatric issues, not a child, leading to legal battles. As of now, Kristine resides in Florida, while Michael still lives in Indiana. In 2022, Michael faced neglect charges for abandoning Natalia, but four counts were dismissed, and he was later found not guilty.
Kristine's charges were dropped in March 2023. The family's complex story is explored in the 2023 documentary series "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks," where Natalia confronts her adoptive parents, shedding light on their troubled relationship and the accusations made against her. The Barnetts' divorce and legal battles are part of their tumultuous aftermath, while Natalia now lives with her new adoptive family, the Manns, featured in the documentary series.
Who is Natalia Grace?
Natalia Grace Barnett is a Ukrainian-American with dwarfism. She was adopted by an American family but faced abandonment later. Natalia's story became the focus of TV series like "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" (2023-2024) and the upcoming Hulu show "Untitled Orphan Project." Despite uncertainties surrounding her birthdate, Natalia's life stirred public interest due to the unique circumstances of her adoption and subsequent abandonment.
The television series delves into her mysterious journey, with the 2023-2024 series titled "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks," shedding light on her perspective. The untitled Hulu project is expected to further explore Natalia's intriguing life story.
Natalia Grace's Early Life
Natalia Grace Barnett was born in Ukraine, to Anna Volodymyrivna Gava of Mykolaiv. Following her birth, Natalia was placed in a Ukrainian orphanage. At an early age, she was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism.
This condition marked the beginning of Natalia's unique journey, shaping her early life experiences. Her story gained attention due to her subsequent adoption by an American family, followed by abandonment, becoming the focus of television series exploring the mysteries surrounding her life.
Natalia Grace Adoption
Natalia Grace Barnett arrived in the United States as an adoptee and found her forever home with Kristine and Michael Barnett in the spring of 2010. Before joining the Barnett family, Natalia had experienced a previous adoptive placement in the U.S. and had several temporary stays.
Upon her adoption by the Barnetts, she officially became Natalia Grace Barnett. This adoption marked a new chapter in her life, where she became part of a caring family in the United States, though her later experiences would bring attention and scrutiny to her story.
Natalia Grace Forsaking
Natalia Grace Barnett's story took a complicated turn when, in 2012, her adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, legally changed her birth records to show a 1989 birth date instead of her actual birth date in 2003. This altered her age from 8 to 22. The Barnetts moved Natalia to an apartment in Indiana and later relocated to Canada, leaving her alone.
After being abandoned, Natalia was taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, who noticed her struggles. The Barnetts faced neglect charges, with Michael being found not guilty. Prosecutors discovered Natalia's birth mother in Ukraine, confirming her true birth date through DNA testing. Despite evidence supporting her minor status when abandoned, the neglect case focused on her disability, not age.
The Barnetts claimed Natalia lied about her age, inspired by the movie "Orphan," but those who cared for her later disputed this. Natalia's life gained public attention through a 2019 Dr. Phil episode and became the subject of the 2023 series "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" and an upcoming Hulu project.
What Happened to Natalia Grace's Parents - FAQs
Michael resides in Indiana, while Kristine lives in Florida after their divorce in 2020.
Michael and Kristine were charged with child neglect in 2019, but the charges against them varied and were later dropped.
Natalia's DNA test revealed she was around 9 or 10 years old when left alone in Lafayette.
Natalia, a Ukrainian girl with dwarfism, was adopted by the Barnetts in 2010, gaining media attention due to her unique circumstances.
They alleged sociopathic behavior and threats, leading to legally changing her birth records to indicate a 1989 birth date.