Natalia Grace was born on Sept. 4, 2003, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. For a child whose life has been filled with controversy and legal battles, her story begins like any other tale of adoption… and it has so far unfolded to become one of resilience. Being born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a form of dwarfism, she was sent to an orphanage by her biological mother because she could not afford Robtel’s medical expenses. At the age of six, she was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett, an American couple from Indiana in 2010.
The Barnett Family and the Legal Controversy
The Barnetts petitioned an Indiana court to legally change Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, saying she was actually an adult pretending to be a child, in 2012. They made this decision because they figured Natalia was engaged in adult-like behavior and she was a threat to the household. But in 2023, a DNA test determined Natalia was about 22, reinforcing her birth year of 2003. Accordingly, her year of birth was legally reverted to 2003.
The couple moved to Canada in 2013, leaving Natalia behind in an apartment in Lafayette, Ind. Soon after, she was invited in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, a couple who spotted her living on her own and extended an invitation to be part of their family.
Life with the Mans Family
Natalia was in the care of the Mans family for close to a decade. While there, she helped take care of their ten adopted children and became a part of their strict religious lifestyle. Jedoch verlies Natalia die Königssöldner gegen Ende 2023 aufgrund der Themen Selbständigkeit und Beeinflussung ihres Privatleben. With the help of her boyfriend, Neil, she arranged to move upstate to live with a couple who also have dwarfism, Nicole and Vincent DePaul, who had once tried (unsuccessfully) to adopt her in 2009.
Present Life with the DePauls
In 2025, Natalia is living with the DePauls in upstate New York. Nicole and Vincent DePaul have become her mother, father and support system as they offer a stable, nurturing backdrop. Natalia has claimed she feels ‘free’ and is learning to come to terms with her dwarfism in a supportive environment, now that she’s living in her new home. She is currently pursuing her GED education and plans to be a teacher, hoping she will motivate those with the same difficulty.
FAQs
Q: Where does Natalia Grace live now?
A: Natalia Grace currently lives with Nicole and Vincent DePaul in upstate New York.
Q: Who are the DePauls?
A: The DePauls are a couple who also have dwarfism. They had previously considered adopting Natalia in 2009 and became her primary support system after she left the Mans household in 2023.
What is Natalia Grace doing now?
A: Natalia is studying for her GED and aspires to become a teacher. She is also working on personal growth and learning to live with her dwarfism in a supportive environment.
Why did Natalia leave the Mans family?
A: Natalia left the Mans family in late 2023 due to issues related to independence and control over her personal life. She orchestrated her departure with the help of her boyfriend, Neil, and moved to upstate New York to live with the DePauls.
What is Natalia Grace’s birth year?
A: Natalia’s birth year is 2003. A DNA test in 2023 estimated her age to be around 22, supporting her original birth year.
Natalia Grace’s journey has been marked by adversity, but she continues to move forward with determination and hope. With the support of the DePaul family, she is working towards her goals and building a future that reflects her resilience and strength.
