Natalia Grace was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett on the age of six in 2010, and in Might 2023, she made headlines when her story was informed within the Investigation Discovery docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. The sequence showcased how Michael and Kristine accused their adoptive daughter, who has a uncommon genetic dysfunction referred to as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, of making an attempt to kill them after her adoption. In addition they alleged that she was not a toddler, however as an alternative, an grownup sociopath with ulterior motives.
A brand new sequence based mostly on the case, titled Good American Household, premiered on March 19, 2025, bringing Natalia’s story again to the forefront. In keeping with Hulu’s logline, Good American Household tells the story from “a number of factors of view, as a way to discover problems with perspective, bias and trauma.” Discover out extra concerning the miniseries and the place Natalia is now under.
The place Is Natalia Grace Now?
Natalia, now 22, shared with PEOPLE in January 2025 that she is making ready for impartial residing by studying to drive and finding out for her GED. Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned, “It’s been a giant studying curve for me. For essentially the most half, I’ve made peace. It’s positively a blessing to be alive at this time. There’s nothing I can do to alter the previous.”
“Studying the whole lot that I’ve about how one can dwell with my dwarfism—it’s been a terrific expertise,” she mentioned. “I like it. I imply, after all, I nonetheless miss my siblings and the whole lot. However I like it. I be happy.” She additionally revealed that she is at the moment residing with Nicole and Vince DePaul.
Beforehand, she shared her perspective on what occurred after being adopted by the Barnetts in 2010, in a preview video for the ID docuseries. “In each lie is a hidden reality, however you’ve gotta dig sufficient to have the ability to see it. They’re not going to get away with this. That is my facet of the story. Do I appear to be a monster to you?”
Within the sequence, launched in 2023, Natalia claims she by no means tried to hurt her adoptive mother and father or some other relations after her adoption. “I used to be by no means in y’all’s room with a knife,” she mentioned within the trailer earlier than Michael responded with, “I know what I noticed.”
What Occurred to Natalia Grace?
Natalia was accused of making an attempt to kill her adoptive mother and father, Michael and Kristine, who finally break up in 2018. Two years after adopting Natalia, the couple petitioned a court docket to alter her delivery yr from 2003 to 1989, making her 20 once they adopted her. They then moved with their three sons to Canada, leaving Natalia to dwell alone in an residence in Lafayette, Indiana, the next yr.
The docuseries took a take a look at the “adoption saga and the Barnetts’ allegations from Natalia’s perspective, providing perception into what actually went on behind closed doorways within the Barnetts’ house.” It would additionally function “beforehand unseen proof and pictures in addition to new theories and testimony from an array of voices, together with the retired FBI brokers who initially investigated Natalia’s case and genetic consultants who assist decide Natalia’s true age.”
Natalia confronted her former adoptive mother and father within the ID docuseries. She gave perception into her subsequent chapter and shared a glimpse of her life along with her different adoptive mother and father. Bishop Antown and Christina Manns, Natalia’s former adoptive mother and father, sat down for an unique interview in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. Whereas she was adopted by the couple, information later revealed they have been very controlling over her life. She finally escaped and moved in with the DePaul household.
What Occurred to Michael and Kristine Barnett?
Six years after transferring away from Natalia, each Michael and Kristine have been charged in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, with neglect of a dependent, neglect of a dependent inflicting bodily harm, neglect of a dependent inflicting critical bodily harm, endangering a dependent’s life, abandoning or cruelly confining a dependent, and conspiracy to neglect a dependent in connection to their transfer. They pleaded not responsible. In 2022, Michael was discovered not responsible on his fees and prosecutors dropped their case towards his ex-wife in March 2023.
