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The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace: A Timeline Of Her FOUR Adoptive Families And Where She Lives Now In 2025

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The ongoing saga of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan with a form of dwarfism whose adoption by an Indiana couple spiraled into a sensational international mystery, has seen more dramatic twists and turns than any fictional thriller. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the focus has shifted entirely from her controversial former parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, to the two families who have since entered and exited her life, culminating in her current, stable living situation with a couple who understand her condition.

The core of the case—whether Natalia was a 6-year-old child or an adult "sociopath" posing as one—has been largely overshadowed by the complex legal and personal aftermath. Her journey involves not one, but four different sets of adoptive parents or caregivers, each chapter revealing new layers of trauma, accusation, and, finally, hope for the young woman at the center of the storm.

The Complete Biography and Legal Timeline of Natalia Grace's Adoptive Parents

The story of Natalia Grace is defined by a series of adoptions and legal battles, making her history with her various caregivers both confusing and compelling. Here is a detailed breakdown of the key figures and the timeline of events.

The Initial Adoptions: Ciccone and Barnett Families

  • Dyan and Gary Ciccone (New Hampshire): Natalia's first adoptive parents in the United States, adopting her from a Ukrainian orphanage in 2008. The New Hampshire couple later re-listed her for adoption in 2010.
  • Michael and Kristine Barnett (Indiana): This Indiana couple adopted Natalia in 2010, believing she was a 6-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism, Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDc).
  • The Age Controversy: In 2012, the Barnetts successfully petitioned an Indiana court to legally change Natalia's age from 8 to 22, claiming she was an adult "sociopath" who was trying to harm their family.
  • The Charges and Outcomes: After legally changing her age, the Barnetts moved Natalia into an apartment by herself in 2013 and moved to Canada. They were later charged with neglect of a dependent. Michael Barnett was acquitted of all charges in 2022. Charges against Kristine Barnett were dismissed in 2023.

The Mans Family: A New Adoption and Bitter Breakup

Following the Barnetts' departure, Natalia was taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans in 2013, who were featured prominently in the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.

  • Antwon and Cynthia Mans: The Manses officially adopted Natalia in 2023, marking a hopeful new chapter for her. Natalia even stated that living with the family helped her "learn how to be a mother," as she helped care for their children.
  • The Sudden Split: The relationship quickly deteriorated. By the end of 2023, Natalia had left the Manses' home. She later accused the Manses of being controlling and overly strict, while Cynthia and Antwon accused Natalia of being "evil" and betraying them just six months after the legal adoption.

The Current Adoptive Parents: Nicole and Vincent DePaul (2025 Update)

The latest and most significant update in Natalia's life involves a family who had originally tried to adopt her years ago. The current chapter of her life is focused on stability and support with Nicole and Vincent DePaul.

Natalia Grace is currently living with Nicole and Vincent DePaul in upstate New York. This couple, who are also little people, have a form of dwarfism similar to Natalia's and had attempted to adopt her back in 2009, before the Barnetts entered the picture.

This reunion was facilitated when Natalia and her boyfriend reached out to the DePauls. The DePauls' understanding of the challenges associated with dwarfism has provided Natalia with a unique level of empathy and support that she lacked in previous placements.

Who Are Nicole and Vincent DePaul?

Nicole and Vincent DePaul represent a vital turning point in Natalia's life. They are a couple who share her physical condition, which has allowed them to connect on a deeper, more personal level.

  • Shared Condition: Both Nicole and Vincent DePaul have a form of dwarfism, providing an immediate, inherent understanding of Natalia's daily life and struggles.
  • Early Connection: Their initial attempt to adopt Natalia in 2009 highlights a long-standing desire to welcome her into their family, a twist of fate that finally came to fruition over a decade later.
  • Current Status: Since moving in with the DePauls in 2023, Natalia has found a sense of normalcy. Nicole DePaul has acknowledged that the transition was "bumpy" at first, but the family is committed to providing a stable, loving environment. The DePauls have included Natalia in their family life, which includes their own children, such as Mackenzie.

The Enduring Mystery: What is Natalia Grace's Real Age?

The age controversy remains the single most confounding entity in the Natalia Grace case, despite the Barnetts' legal issues being resolved. The court ruling in 2012 changed her age to 22, but a later bone density test, revealed in the docuseries, offered a different conclusion.

The test determined that Natalia was approximately 22 years old at the time the test was administered. Since this test was conducted around the time of the Barnetts' court proceedings (2019-2022), it suggests she would have been around 9 years old when the Barnetts first adopted her in 2010. This finding directly contradicts the Barnetts' central claim that she was an adult woman.

Based on her most consistent birth year of 2003, Natalia Grace is approximately 22 years old as of late 2025, finally aligning her legal and biological age with a sense of clarity. This resolution of her age, coupled with her stable placement with the DePauls, marks the true "final chapter" in her turbulent journey.

Key Entities and Themes in the Natalia Grace Case

The complex case has introduced numerous entities and themes that continue to be discussed in legal and true crime circles:

  • Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDc): The rare genetic disorder that causes Natalia's dwarfism and was a key factor in her adoption and subsequent controversy.
  • Legal Neglect: The charges brought against Michael and Kristine Barnett for abandoning a minor, regardless of the age change petition.
  • Documentary Series: The case has been the subject of multiple Investigation Discovery (ID) docuseries, including The Curious Case of Natalia Grace and Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, which brought the DePauls and Manses into the public eye.
  • Adoption Trauma: The overarching theme of a child facing multiple failed placements and the psychological toll of being accused of being an adult imposter.
  • The DePaul's Role: They represent the concept of a "soft landing," providing a supportive environment with people who share a similar life experience, a crucial element for her long-term stability and mental health.

The journey of Natalia Grace has been a whirlwind of tragedy, legal drama, and media frenzy. While the narrative with the Barnetts is what initially captured the world's attention, the current reality with the DePaul family offers the most hopeful and stable outlook. After years of being at the center of a baffling mystery, Natalia is finally finding peace and normalcy with a family who truly accepts her.

natalia grace adopted parents
natalia grace adopted parents

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