Who Is Natalia Grace? Inside the Shocking Adoption Scandal and Where Everyone Is Now

It’s been more than a decade since the world first heard the name Natalia Grace, and yet the mystery around her life continues to spark debate. On April 30, 2025, new interviews and reactions followed the success of the Investigation Discovery series “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks” and Hulu’s dramatized show “Good American Family”. The bizarre story of the Ukrainian-born girl adopted in the U.S. — only to be accused of being a full-grown adult pretending to be a child — is one of the most confusing and controversial adoption cases in modern times.

So, what’s happened since? Who are the key players? And where are they now?

Let’s break it down.

Who is Natalia Grace?

Natalia Grace Barnett was born in 2003 in Ukraine. She was adopted by Dyan and Gary Ciccone when she was around five years old. That adoption didn’t last. After claims of disruptive behavior, the Ciccones gave up their parental rights.

In 2010, Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted Natalia. At the time, she was thought to be around 7 or 8 years old. But things took a dark turn when the Barnetts accused her of faking her age and claimed she was actually a 22-year-old woman pretending to be a child.

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In 2012, the Barnetts legally changed Natalia’s age from 8 to 22 through a court petition. After that, they moved her into an apartment and later left the country, moving to Canada with their biological children. Natalia, still a minor according to medical records, was left to live on her own.

Now, in 2025, Natalia is 22 years old based on a DNA test done for the ID docuseries. She lives in upstate New York and is reportedly dating a man named Neil. She lives with an adoptive family and seems to be doing well.

In a recent interview with People, Natalia said,

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“It’s a blessing to be alive today because looking back at my 7-year-old self, I should have been dead… I feel free.”

Where is Kristine Barnett now?

Kristine Barnett, Natalia’s adoptive mother, was once known for her parenting memoir “The Spark” released in 2013. The book detailed her experiences raising a son with autism and brought her media fame. But after the Natalia case, her life took a huge turn.

In 2019, Kristine and her then-husband Michael were charged with multiple counts of neglect of a dependent. The case dragged on for five years before being dismissed. Michael went to trial and was found not guilty. The case against Kristine was later dropped.

In 2024, Kristine released a second memoir called “Witch Hunt: The Kristine Barnett Story”, where she tries to clear her name and share her side of the story. She claims Natalia was manipulative and dangerous, even calling her a “sociopath” in a Facebook post.

Kristine is now divorced from Michael and lives privately. She has not been involved in any further legal issues since the dismissal.

What about Michael Barnett?

Michael Barnett, Kristine’s ex-husband, has also moved on from the scandal — at least legally. After the couple moved to Canada, Michael filed for divorce in 2014. He later married Jennifer Barnett, but their relationship has been off and on.

In 2022, Michael was found not guilty of the charges brought against him. In a 2024 interview for “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,” he claimed Kristine was the one pulling the strings, even saying,

“I had the same monster you did,” when speaking to Natalia.

Michael said he was controlled and threatened during his marriage and followed Kristine’s lead in the decisions about Natalia. Kristine, of course, denies this and maintains that she was only trying to help Natalia.

Who are Cynthia and Antwon Mans?

After being left in an apartment alone, Natalia eventually found help from Cynthia and Antwon Mans, a couple with 10 children of their own. They took her in and provided care and support.

In 2016, they petitioned to become Natalia’s legal guardians, but a court hearing had to confirm whether she was a child or adult. The court declared Natalia an adult, but she continued living with the Mans family. In 2023, they legally adopted her.

However, later that same year, things went downhill. Natalia accused the Mans family of abuse, although she has not spoken about the details publicly. Cynthia and Antwon denied the accusations. Despite their falling out, Cynthia remains the payee of Natalia’s disability benefits.

What are the TV shows based on Natalia Grace?

Two major shows have told Natalia’s story:

1. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks (2024, Investigation Discovery)
   This docuseries featured Natalia herself and included a DNA test, which showed she was likely 7 years old at the time of her adoption by the Barnetts. It includes interviews with Natalia, Michael Barnett, and other key people.
2. Good American Family (2025, Hulu)
   This is a dramatized limited series based on Natalia’s story. Actress Imogen Faith Reid plays Natalia. Reid has stated that she never contacted Natalia but wanted to bring justice and empowerment to her role.

Christina Hendricks plays Cynthia Mans in the show.

What has Natalia said about her life now?

Natalia has expressed that she’s grateful to be alive. She’s come a long way from being accused of faking her identity to finding a sense of freedom.

“I love it. I feel free,” she told People in 2025.

She said that learning how to manage life with dwarfism has been challenging but rewarding. While she misses her siblings, she now has a sense of independence.

Final thoughts

Natalia Grace’s story is still unfolding. It’s a tale filled with twists—an adoption that turned into a scandal, a family torn apart, a media storm, and now a young woman trying to rebuild her life.

From a shocking court case to two hit TV shows, Natalia’s experience has raised important questions about the adoption system, medical evaluations, and how quickly public opinion can turn. But today, at 22 years old, she seems ready to move on, live her truth, and write her own ending.

FAQs

How old is Natalia Grace in 2025?

She is 22 years old, based on DNA testing confirmed in 2024.

What happened to Kristine and Michael Barnett?

They were charged in 2019 for neglect but were cleared. Michael was found not guilty and Kristine’s case was dismissed.

Is Natalia Grace adopted now?

Yes, she was legally adopted by Cynthia and Antwon Mans in 2023, though they are now estranged.

What is Natalia Grace doing now?

She lives in upstate New York with an adoptive family and is dating her boyfriend, Neil.