The Curious Case of Natalia Grace is a documentary exploring whether Natalia Barnett is an exploited Ukrainian child with dwarfism or a dangerous adult masquerading as a child. It features exclusive interviews with Natalia’s adoptive family members, relatives, friends, legal experts, neighbors, and new theories and evidence.
Who is Natalia Grace?
Natalia Grace is a Ukrainian-born American adoptee whose age has been disputed. Michael and Kristine Barnett adopted her in 2010 because they thought she was a six-year-old child with rare dwarfism. However, the Barnetts later claimed that Natalia was an adult who had lied about her age and tried to harm them.
They changed her birth records to indicate a 1989 birth date, legally changing her age from 8 to 22 in 2012. They then left her alone in an apartment in Indiana and moved to Canada with their other children. The Barnetts were charged with neglecting a dependent but were later found not guilty.
Natalia denied the allegations against the Barnetts and said that she was indeed a child they had mistreated. Cynthia and Anton Mans, a different Indiana couple, took her in and became her new adoptive parents. Natalia’s biological mother, Anna Volodymyrivna Gava, was located in Ukraine and confirmed that Natalia was born in 2003. However, Natalia’s current legal year of birth is still 1989.
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace is a documentary series that tries to determine if Natalia Barnett is a Ukrainian child with dwarfism being used for money or if she is a dangerous adult pretending to be a child. It features exclusive interviews with Natalia’s adoptive family members, relatives, friends, legal experts, neighbors, and new theories and evidence.
The docuseries is based on a controversial and sensational story that made headlines in 2019, when Natalia’s adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, were charged with neglect for abandoning her in an apartment in Indiana and fleeing to Canada with their other children. The Barnetts claimed that Natalia was not a child but a 33-year-old woman who had lied about her age and tried to harm them. Natalia denied these allegations and said she was indeed a child the Barnetts had mistreated.
The case sparked much debate and speculation about Natalia’s true identity, age, and motives. Some people believed she was a victim of abuse and abandonment, while others suspected she was a scammer and a sociopath. The case also drew comparisons to the movie Orphan, the tale of a young adopted girl who is revealed to be a violent adult. The case was reportedly one of the true stories that inspired the movie and its sequel.
How did this story become famous?
The story of Natalia Grace became famous in 2019 when her adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, were charged with neglect for abandoning her in an apartment in Indiana and fleeing to Canada with their other children. The Barnetts claimed that Natalia was not a child but a 33-year-old woman who had lied about her age and tried to harm them. Natalia denied these allegations and said that she was indeed a child whom the Barnetts had mistreated.
The case sparked much debate and speculation about Natalia’s true identity, age, and motives. Some people believed she was a victim of abuse and abandonment, while others suspected she was a scammer and a sociopath. The case also drew comparisons to the movie Orphan, the tale of a young adopted girl who is revealed to be a violent adult. The case was reportedly one of the true stories that inspired the movie and its sequel.
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace is a documentary series that explores whether Natalia Barnett is an exploited Ukrainian child with dwarfism or a dangerous adult masquerading as a child. It features exclusive interviews with Natalia’s adoptive family members, relatives, friends, legal experts, neighbors, and new theories and evidence.
The case is still unresolved, as prosecutors for the neglect case against the Barnetts located Natalia’s biological mother in Ukraine and obtained Ukrainian hospital and birth records supporting Natalia’s original 2003 birth date. However, her current legal year of birth is still 1989. The Barnetts are awaiting trial for their charges.
Where to stream the Curious Case of Natalia Grace
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace is a 6-episode docuseries aired on Investigation Discovery in May 2023. It is available to stream on the following platforms:
- Discovery+: You can watch The Curious Case of Natalia Grace on Discovery+ with a subscription. There is a free trial available for new subscribers.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu + Live TV is a streaming service that offers live TV channels, including Investigation Discovery. With a subscription, you can watch The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
- Sling TV: Sling TV is another streaming service that offers live TV channels, including Investigation Discovery. You can subscribe to Sling TV to watch The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
- YouTube TV: A streaming platform, YouTube TV, provides access to various live TV channels, including Investigation Discovery. With a subscription, you can watch The Curious Case of Natalia Grace on YouTube TV.
The docuseries are also available to purchase or rent on other digital platforms, such as Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
A special “Natalia Speaks” episode also aired on Investigation Discovery in June 2023. This episode features an interview with Natalia Grace herself. You can watch this episode on Discovery+.
FAQs
Here are some FAQs about the Curious Case of Natalia Grace:
Who is Natalia Grace?
Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted Natalia Grace, a young woman from Ukraine in 2010. The Barnetts believed she was six then, but she was later determined to be much older.
Why was Natalia’s age disputed?
There are several reasons why Natalia’s age was disputed:
- She had physical characteristics inconsistent with a 6-year-old, such as pubic hair and a period.
- She had a high IQ and could speak several languages.
- She had a history of behavioral problems, such as setting fires and making threats.
What happened to Natalia Grace?
In 2013, the Barnetts abandoned Natalia in an apartment in Indiana. Another couple, Antwon and Cynthia Mans, later took her in. 2016, the Mans applied to become Natalia’s legal guardians but were denied. Natalia’s current whereabouts are unknown.
What is the mystery surrounding Natalia Grace?
The mystery surrounding Natalia Grace is why her adoptive parents abandoned her and what her actual age is. There is no definitive answer to these questions, and the case remains unsolved.
What are the legal implications of the Natalia Grace case?
The Natalia Grace case has raised several legal questions, including the following:
- Can a parent abandon their child?
- Can a judge change a child’s birth certificate?
- What is the legal age of consent?
- What is the statute of limitations for child abuse?
These questions are complex, and there is no easy answer. The Natalia Grace case will likely significantly impact how adoptions are handled in the future.
