A Ukrainian orphan who was accused by her former adoptive family of “masquerading” as a child is sharing her side of the story in a new docuseries. Natalia Grace, the subject of Investigation Discovery’s “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,” is now starring in “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.” In the series, she aims to clear her name and reveal the truth behind the allegations made against her.
Natalia Grace’s story gained international attention when her adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, accused her of being an adult imposter instead of a child. They claimed that Natalia, who has a form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, exhibited violent behavior and engaged in manipulative acts.
The former FBI agent who investigated Natalia’s case, Ken Maxwell, expressed no surprise at Natalia’s decision to speak out. He explained that she had not been given the opportunity to fully share her story during the trial due to a gag order. Now that the trial is over and the gag order lifted, Natalia can finally have a platform to tell her side of the story.
Maxwell delved into Natalia’s past in Ukraine and discovered some unanswered questions. Her birth records were partially destroyed in a plumbing accident, and there were suspicions of adoption anomalies and fraud in Eastern Europe. Natalia claimed to have suffered trauma as a child, which affected her memory.
The Barnetts, who adopted Natalia in 2010, alleged that she engaged in disturbing behaviors such as hoarding knives and attempting to poison her adoptive mother. They even petitioned the court to legally change Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively changing her age from 8 to 22. The couple eventually divorced, and in 2013, it was revealed that Natalia was living alone in an apartment, leading to an investigation and their arrests.
During the trial, prosecutors could not charge the Barnetts with neglect of a child due to Natalia’s court-ordered age change. The jury found Michael not guilty, and Kristine had all her charges dismissed. The docuseries presents dental records and an epigenetic test suggesting that Natalia’s age was closer to 22.
Natalia’s case raises questions about the challenges faced by trauma-related adoptions and the need for proper support and understanding. Despite the allegations made against her, Natalia is now living with her new father, Pastor Antwon Mans, who has stated that she never exhibited violent behavior towards their family.
“The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks” will premiere on January 1st, providing a platform for Natalia to share her side of the story. As unanswered questions remain, it is clear that Natalia’s journey has been filled with hardships and complexities that go beyond the initial allegations.
