Hulu’s new limited series “Good American Family” revives the interest in the story of Natalia Grace – who was accused of lying about her age by her adopted family.
Grace was born on September 4, 2003 in Ukraine with spondyloepiphyspiphysplasplasia, a form of dwarf gram that influences the development of bone. She was adopted in 2010 by Kristine and Michael Barnett, played by Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass in the new show, who also have three own sons (including one with autism).
It was not long before the Barnett Stel started to suspect that Grace was not in advance about her age, and later claimed that they noticed pubic fires and adult teeth. They went to a court in Indiana and let them change her legal year of birth from 2003 to 1989. They also accused Grace of trying to kill their families, at one point they claimed that they put thumb signs on the stairs for the Barnett family to step up. In 2013 they completely left her and left for Canada.
A month after he was alone, Grace became friends with Cynthia Mans (played by Christiana Hendricks in the show), who invited her to live with Christian pastor Antwon Mans. They tried to become her legal guardians in 2016, but a hearing was required to determine whether she was considered a legal adult. Due to a legal battle, the family adopted its legally in 2023.
Eventually she escaped about conflicts with her independence, although in the documentary ‘The curious cause of Natalia Grace: the last chapter’, Grace spoke lovingly about the Manses family and their 10 children. Eyewitnesses in the docuseries, however, claimed that they saw the men physically abuse, on which Grace did not comment.
A few months ago, Grace spoke out in an interview with people. She spoke about her experience with the Baretts: “The only thing that was told to me was:” You are now 22. When someone asks you what your age is, you say you are 22 and you are trying to kill your family. ” I learned to lie. “
While controversy has continued over the years on Grace’s real age, a DNA test in January 2024 seemed to confirm That she was in fact a child when the Baretts adopted her in 2010. Although it is important to notice, As Business Insider reported, That DNA tests are more a health measurement than a method to determine exact chronological age.
The baretts have applied for a divorce of each other in 2014 And Kristine even published a book, ‘The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing, Genius and Autism’, about the life of her son with autism. In the documentary “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks,” Michael actually appeared next to Grace and said: “I had the same monster that you did.”
Grace currently lives with the Depaul family – a family of people who also have dwarf -like – in the state of New York.