DNA Test Confirms Natalia Grace’s Age Amid Ongoing Controversy

INDIANA, USA — A controversial adoption saga involving Natalia Grace Barnett continues to spark debate following the release of the Hulu series “Good American Family,” which reexamines her life with her adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett. The case, which gained traction in the media, raises unsettling questions about identity and parental responsibility.

In 2010, the Barnetts adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian girl with a rare form of dwarfism, believing her to be about six years old. However, as depicted in the series, suspicions about Natalia’s true age and intentions emerged soon after her adoption. The Barnetts claimed she exhibited unusual behavior, suggesting she was an adult masquerading as a child.

The allegations include dangerous acts allegedly committed by Natalia, such as attempting to poison Kristine and hiding sharp objects around the house. In 2012, the couple petitioned the Marion County Probate Court to officially change Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, legally declaring her to be 22 years old. They subsequently moved to Canada, leaving 8-year-old Natalia abandoned in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana.

Michael Barnett reported that medical professionals had warned him and Kristine that Natalia posed significant risks, classifying her as a sociopath. “These doctors said she is a con artist, and you’re all in danger,” Michael said during one of his statements to investigators.

In a recent development, a blood test conducted by TruDiagnostic in August 2023 revealed that Natalia was approximately 22 years old at that time, indicating she was about nine years old when adopted by the Barnetts. This finding contradicts the Barnetts’ narrative. “This one little piece of paper throws every single lie the Barnetts said right into the trash,” Natalia stated in an interview about the test results.

Contrastingly, Kristine Barnett, in her portrayal on the show, continues to assert their claims about Natalia’s behavior, maintaining that she was dangerous. Following significant media attention and the introduction of the DNA test results, both Michael and Kristine faced multiple legal challenges.

In 2022, Michael was acquitted of three counts of neglect, while charges against Kristine were dropped shortly thereafter. The court’s ruling on Natalia’s age prevented any child neglect charges, as she had been declared an adult legally.

The Hulu series presents a dramatized account of the events, highlighting contrasting viewpoints, including Natalia’s claims of abuse and neglect by the Barnetts. In light of the allegations against her adoptive parents, Natalia was later adopted by another family, the Mans, who faced accusations of abuse themselves.

By 2023, Natalia, now living with the DePaul family, expressed optimism about her future. “It’s time to rewrite my story,” she said during a recent interview. “Learning how to live with my dwarfism has been a great experience, and I feel free.” Seemingly unfazed by past traumas, she is currently focused on her education and forming new relationships, such as with her boyfriend Neil.

“Good American Family” aims to shed light on this complex and troubling saga. While facilitating a broader discussion on societal misconceptions surrounding disability and adoption, the series also perpetuates some of the drama surrounding Natalia’s life. The challenges of navigating her past and present dynamics remain central themes in her ongoing story.

As viewers engage with the series, many remain curious about Natalia’s evolving life and the implications of her tumultuous journey through childhood and into young adulthood.