Court Cases and Truth Behind Natalia Grace’s Age Sparks New Interest

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A new docuseries on Hulu titled “Good American Family” has rekindled public interest in the controversial case of Natalia Grace, a girl adopted from Ukraine, now believed to be in her twenties. Originally adopted in 2010 by Kristine and Michael Barnett, Natalia’s early life in the U.S. raised suspicions surrounding her age and identity, leading to a complex legal battle over negligence.

Natalia, diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism, was purportedly born in 2003; however, the Barnetts alleged that she was an adult posing as a child, prompting them to petition an Indiana court in 2012 to change her birth year to 1989. This legal adjustment controversially reclassified her as 22 years old.

Michael Barnett recalled his concerns during a 2019 interview, stating, “Looking back to 2010, something just wasn’t right.” He explained that early suspicions began when Kristine noticed Natalia had physical signs typically associated with puberty. He reported, “Natalia said, ‘I have a period and I’ve been hiding it from you because I don’t want you to know.’” While the Barnetts argued these signs indicated she was not a minor, experts suggest conditions like precocious puberty can mislead untrained observers.

In the docuseries, Natalia, now living with a New York couple, refutes the Barnetts’ claims of deception. She alleges abuse, stating, “I was 7 years old, and Kristine literally just said, ‘You started your period,’ and she forced me to put the tampon in.” Kristine Barnett has publicly denied these accusations, asserting that “Natalia was a very much loved and cared for member of my family.” In a now-deleted Facebook post, she claimed, “Any discipline of Natalia was very minimal and was not out of the bounds of normal parenting.”

Legal documents reveal that during the age adjustment process in 2012, medical professionals at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital determined that Natalia was indeed a minor. In a court filing, it was stated, “Natalia was considered a child by medical evaluation even as the Barnetts sought a different narrative.” Despite this, the Barnetts moved to Canada in 2013, leaving Natalia to live independently in an apartment.

In the wake of these developments, charges were later brought against the couple in 2019 for neglecting a dependent. A jury acquitted Michael Barnett in 2022, while charges against Kristine were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Natalia described her feelings of fear, recalling, “I was terrified of her. I followed what Kristine said out of fear of the consequences.”

Recent investigations featured in the docuseries replay a DNA test taken by Natalia in August 2023 that indicates she is now approximately 22 years old, which contradicts the 1989 birthdate. Dr. Timothy Gossweiler, a dentist who examined Natalia in 2011, confirmed she had numerous baby teeth, supporting claims she was underage at the time.

Today, Natalia resides with the DePaul family in upstate New York. In an interview, she expressed her desire to pursue education, stating, “I want to become a teacher and have a family of my own one day.” This ongoing saga—rife with manipulation, legal battles, and alleged abuse—continues to unfold, shedding light on the complexities of adoption and the imperative to protect vulnerable children.