The Two Families: Where Are Natalia Grace’s Adoptive Parents Now? (2025 Update)
The curious and often terrifying case of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism, continues to captivate the world, not least because of the conflicting narratives presented by the two families who adopted her. As of December 22, 2025, the legal and personal drama surrounding her true age, alleged sociopathic behavior, and subsequent accusations of neglect and abuse has reached several critical milestones, though the full truth remains obscured by layers of sensationalism and conflicting testimony. The story involves two distinct sets of adoptive parents—Michael and Kristine Barnett, and later, Antwon and Cynthia Mans—each with their own dramatic and often devastating chapter in Natalia’s life, and recent updates provide a clear picture of their current status and legal outcomes.
The saga, which has spawned multiple docuseries and intense public scrutiny, centers on a fundamental question: was Natalia a 6-year-old child with a rare bone disorder, or an adult woman masquerading as a minor with malicious intent? The answer has determined the fate of her adoptive families, leading to criminal charges, public trials, and a complex web of allegations that continue to unfold in the public eye.
The Original Adoptive Parents: Michael and Kristine Barnett (Biography and Legal Status)
The Barnett family were the first to bring Natalia to the United States and are responsible for the initial, explosive claims that launched the entire controversy.
- Names: Michael Barnett and Kristine Elizabeth Barnett.
- Location (at time of adoption): Indiana, USA.
- Adoption Date: 2010.
- Core Allegation: The Barnetts claimed that Natalia, whom they believed to be a 6-year-old girl, was actually an adult (allegedly 20 years old) with a rare dwarfism condition (spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita) who was a sociopath and threatened their lives.
- Legal Action: The Barnetts successfully petitioned an Indiana court in 2012 to legally change Natalia's age from 8 to 22. They then moved to Canada in 2013, leaving Natalia behind in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana.
- Criminal Charges: In 2019, both Michael and Kristine were charged with neglect of a dependent (a felony) for allegedly abandoning a child.
- Current Legal Status (as of 2025):
- Michael Barnett: Was found not guilty of the neglect charges in a 2022 trial.
- Kristine Barnett: Charges against her were dismissed in 2023.
- Outcome: Neither Michael nor Kristine Barnett served jail time for the neglect charges related to Natalia.
- Media Presence: Both have featured heavily in various documentaries and interviews, presenting their side of the story, including the belief that Natalia was a "con artist" and a dangerous adult.
The Shocking Acquittal and Dismissal: What Led to the Not Guilty Verdicts
The legal proceedings against the Barnetts hinged entirely on the court-ordered age change. The defense successfully argued that because the court had legally re-aged Natalia to an adult in 2012, the Barnetts could not be charged with neglecting a minor in 2013.
During Michael Barnett's trial, evidence was presented to support the claim that Natalia was not a child. This included testimony about her having adult teeth, a menstrual cycle, and alleged instances of aggressive, adult-like behavior.
The acquittal of Michael in 2022 and the subsequent dismissal of charges against Kristine in 2023 marked a major turning point. It legally validated the Barnetts' position that they had not abandoned a child, but rather an adult who was legally responsible for herself. This decision, however, did not resolve the moral and ethical questions surrounding their actions.
The Second Adoptive Family: Cynthia and Antwon Mans (Abuse Allegations and Exploitation)
After the Barnetts relocated, Natalia was taken in by another Indiana couple, Cynthia and Antwon Mans, and their children, around 2013.
- Names: Cynthia Mans and Antwon Mans.
- Location: Originally Indiana, later moved to Tennessee.
- Relationship: They became Natalia's guardians in 2013 and eventually legally adopted her in 2023.
- New Controversy: While the Manses initially presented a stable environment for Natalia, the docuseries that aired in early 2024 revealed severe tension and shocking allegations of abuse and financial exploitation.
- Allegations: Natalia herself spoke out, accusing the Manses of physical and psychological abuse. Specifically, it was alleged that Cynthia Mans was controlling Natalia's $700 monthly government benefits and financially exploiting her.
- Current Status: The docuseries footage showed Natalia appearing to "escape" the Manses' home to live with a new family, the DePauls.
- Outcome: Despite the legal adoption in 2023, the relationship quickly deteriorated, leading to Natalia's departure and the public airing of abuse claims against the Manses, painting a dark picture of her second adoptive placement.
The Financial Exploitation Claims and Natalia’s ‘Escape’
The allegations against the Manses introduced a new, disturbing dimension to Natalia's story. While the Barnetts’ claims focused on her age and alleged danger, the Manses’ controversy centered on their treatment of her as a dependent.
The claim that Cynthia Mans was controlling Natalia’s disability benefits—a crucial source of income for someone with her medical condition—suggested a motive of financial exploitation. Natalia's move to the DePaul family, friends who had previously attempted to adopt her, was portrayed as an "escape" from the Manses' household.
This development, which emerged publicly in early 2024, shifted the focus of the narrative. No longer was Natalia solely the subject of the "sociopath" debate; she became a victim alleging mistreatment by a family who had legally committed to caring for her.
Natalia Grace’s Current Life and Uncertain Future (2025)
In a dramatic turn of events, Natalia Grace is no longer living with either set of her former adoptive parents. Her current placement is with the DePaul family, who were long-time friends and had previously sought to adopt her.
This new environment appears to offer Natalia a sense of stability and support, a stark contrast to the tumultuous relationships she endured with the Barnetts and the Manses. She has been more vocal in recent years, defending herself against the Barnetts' claims and leveling her own allegations against the Manses.
The controversy surrounding her age has been a defining feature of her life since 2010. The rare dwarfism condition she lives with, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, complicates the visual assessment of her age, fueling the Barnetts' initial suspicions. However, Natalia maintains she was a child when adopted and has presented evidence to support her claim.
The entire saga serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of international adoption, the profound impact of legal age changes, and the dangers of media sensationalism. The Barnetts were acquitted of neglect, but their reputation remains tarnished by the abandonment claims. The Manses successfully adopted her only to face serious allegations of abuse.
As of late 2025, Natalia continues to seek a normal life away from the relentless media spotlight and the shadow of her two adoptive families. Her story is a powerful narrative of survival, resilience, and the search for truth amidst a decade-long national controversy. The legal victories of the Barnetts have closed one chapter, while the allegations against the Manses have opened another, proving that the full story of Natalia Grace is far from over.
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