What do you know about The Curious Case of Natalia Grace? Natalia Grace’s case is stranger than fiction and remains obscure today. One party claims she is an exploited Ukrainian child abandoned by her adoptive family, whereas the other party claims she is a dangerous psychopath posing as a child to use her guardians.
Although the unusual scandal began in 2010 and the woman at the center of it appeared on Dr. Phil in 2019, a recently released docuseries titled The Curious Case of Natalia Grace has sparked renewed interest from viewers worldwide as it follows a court case that raises additional questions. If you’re seeking information about the case, keep reading because this blog post overviews everything, including details on Natalia, her adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, her current whereabouts, and where you can watch the series.
Who is Natalia Grace?
In Ukraine, Natalia Grace was welcomed into the world by Anna Volodymyrivna Gava of Mykolaiv on September 4, 2003. Natalie was born under the Virgo astrological sign and is of white descent. Natalia was placed in an orphanage in Ukraine and was diagnosed with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (a rare form of dwarfism).In the spring of 2010, Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted her as an adoptee who had immigrated to the country.
Following her adoption, she changed her name to Natalia Grace Barnett. In 2012, the Barnetts legally changed Natalia’s age from 8 to 22 by petitioning the Marion County court to alter her Ukrainian birth records. Later, they moved Natalia to an apartment in Westfield, Indiana, and then to Lafayette, Indiana. After that, the Barnetts relocated to Canada with their biological children, while Natalia was left alone in the Lafayette apartment. Following this, Antwon and Cynthia Mans invited Natalia to live with them since she had trouble living independently. The Barnetts were charged with neglecting a dependent, but Michael was eventually found not guilty.
What is The Curious Case of Natalia Grace about?
The documentary series investigates the case of Natalia Grace and the Barnetts, which contains narrative elements that appear to have been lifted directly from a film. It began in 2010 when Ukrainian-born Natalia was adopted by the American couple Michael and Kristine Barnett. Michael initiates the discourse by providing an account of their family’s perception that Natalia, a young girl of six years, possessed a medical condition called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenital (SEDc), which is characterized by dwarfism. The Barnetts were said to be delighted to welcome the child into their family, as they already had experience with children with special needs, including their son Jacob, a child prodigy with autism.
The Barnetts began doubting Natalia’s age after discovering she had full pubic hair and menstruation. After organizing a playdate with another six-year-old girl with SEDc, Natalia looked older than her, raising their worries. Michael said that Natalia’s disturbing behavior outweighed these worries. He woke up in the night to find her clutching a knife at the foot of their bed, threatening to kill them. He also claims she defecated to upset Jacob, tried to run over their sons, and poisoned Kristine before dragging her into an electric fence. After seeing many therapists, Michael diagnosed Natalia with psychopathy. Based on numerous analyses, the family won a court order to modify Natalia’s age from eight to 22 in 2012.
While the Barnetts were no longer legally required to assist her financially, they rented Natalia a neighboring apartment with her neighbors’ help. Natalia contacted 911 and admitted to following one of the neighbors when they began to worry about her behavior. Before moving to Canada for their son’s education, the family transferred her to another Lafayette, Indiana, apartment.
This is one of the most controversial parts of the story since many blame the Barnetts for abandoning a defenseless person. The pair were accused of neglecting a dependent in 2019. Public opinion was divided at the time: some supported the Barnetts’ claims regarding Natalia’s age, while others sympathized with her as an abandoned child. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace illuminates the situation and makes stunning Barnett claims.
Where is Natalia Grace now?
According to numerous reports, Natalia still resides in Indiana after moving in with Antwon and Cynthia Mans in 2014. In 2019, they appeared together on Dr. Phil, where the Mans explained that Natalia had not exhibited any concerning behavior. While the Mans continue to stand by her, Natalia denies the allegations made against her, stating on Dr. Phil that Kristine had “said that I hid knives on top of the fridge, under the fridge, in the cabinets, even on her office desk,” even though she would have been physically unable to reach many of those places.
Will There Be a The Curious Case of Natalia Grace Season 2?
Yes…and no. According to Variety, the premiere season premiered on May 29 on Investigation Discovery and Max, delivering nearly 10.3 million streams. This was Investigation Discovery’s most popular program in over three years. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, a two-hour follow-up documentary The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, was announced on June 1 by Investigation Discovery and Max in lieu of a formal second season.
When Does the Curious Case of Natalia Grace Season 2 Come Out?
The precise release date of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks has not yet been determined. However, Warner Bros. Discovery noted that the documentary will premiere sometime in the Summer of 2023.
Where to stream The Curious Case of Natalia Grace online
All six episodes of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace are now available to stream on Max and Discovery Plus. You can also watch the series on Amazon Prime Video via the Max or Discovery Plus add-ons. The Natalia Speaks special is set to drop on Investigation Discovery “later this summer.” We’ll keep this space updated when an official release date arrives.
Will There Be Additional Shows Regarding the Case?
You will likely hear more about the case in the future. Hulu is producing an eight-part limited series based on the case, starring Ellen Pompeo as Kristine Barnett and Imogen Reid as Natalia Grace. Other details are currently unknown.