What happened to adopted child accused of being 'fully grown woman’ after family became ‘suspicious’ of age

Back in 2019, Natalia Grace made headlines around the world when her adoptive parents were accused of neglect.

The story of Natalia Grace is a rare and bizarre case, but one that has mystified people for years.

Natalia was adopted in 2010 (Investigation Discovery)

What happened to Natalia Grace?

In 2010, Michael and Kristine Barnett, from Indiana, adopted six-year-old Natalia, from Ukraine.

But in a shocking turn of events, just a couple of years later and the couple began to suspect that their adopted daughter wasn't a child at all, and even petitioned to change her birth year from 2003 to 1989.

Within months, the Barnetts had produced a fair amount of evidence to support their claims, and brought their case in front of a court.

They claimed that Natalia - who has a rare form of dwarfism - was a 'con artist' and a 'sociopath', alleging that she tried to poison Kristine's coffee and push her into an electric fence.

They also cut off contact with Natalia and allegedly moved her into an apartment on her own, when she was thought to be around nine-years-old.

At the time of the charges, Michael told Dr. Oz’s True Crime show: “It’s obvious that her records were falsified. This is an adult masquerading as a child.

“We took her to the stress center to have her evaluated that she is having thoughts of harming others, and she is stating out loud that she is attempting to kill Kristine.”

Natalia, however, has always denied that she wasn't a child.

How old is Natalia Grace?

Following the controversial case, a documentary, produced by Investigation Discovery, was filmed - titled The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.

The doc saw health experts group together to determine Natalia's 'real' age - and they ended up discovering that Natalia may not have been an adult after all.

In the series - which landed in January - Natalia was informed of the shocking news in a clip that has since remained viral.

During a conversation with TruDiagnostics age specialist, Dr Halland Chen - following a series of tests aimed at determining her chronological age - Natalia was ruled to have been 22.

In the clip, Natalia tears up as she is told: "Based off of all the studies and everything being analysed, you’re more closer to 22.

"Which is pretty close to what you think, [that] you’re almost 20 – that's within 2 years."

Clearly moved by the results and what they meant for her struggle, an emotional Natalia said: "This is so big. This has literally been 13 years of just two people lying their butts off, they painted me as some big monster, when they were the ones."

If Chen’s findings are correct, it means Natalia was four when she came to the USA from Ukraine, before being adopted by the Barnetts when she was seven, and eight when the age change petition was filed by her adoptive parents.

In September 2019, the Barnetts were charged with neglecting a dependant after they left Natalia in the apartment.

Natalia visited Dr Halland Chen for answers (Investigation Discovery)

Where is Natalia Grace now?

In 2013, Natalia started living with another couple - also from Indiana - called Cynthia and Antwon Mans and their children.

The Mans have stood by Natalia throughout her very public legal battle with the Barnetts, but despite their strong relationship, producers for The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks allegedly received a phone call two weeks after filming in which Antwon claimed 'something wasn't right' with Natalia.

According to PEOPLE, Antwon said: “Something ain’t right with Natalia.

“This girl is tweaking.

“I feel like she’s the enemy in the house.

“And she said to us, we have held her hostage. Made us look like we’re the enemy.”

Cynthia then allegedly says: “Natalia is stabbing her family in the back, over a complete lie!”

"She’s done other things too, but this was a new low. Natalia does not have emotions for nothing but herself," added Antwon.

“We’re done. We’re done with her."

Natalia later broke her silence on the issue, telling social media followers that she was 'doing well' and thanking them for their support.

Cynthia later told The US Sun that while Natalia no longer lives with them, they 'are fine'.

She said: "We are absolutely perfect. No, she doesn't live with us but we are fine."

Earlier this year, it was announced that Natalia's story is being adapted into an upcoming show called Orphan, starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass.

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