The True Age And Current Life: Where Is Natalia Grace Now In 2025?
The bizarre and deeply unsettling case of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan adopted by an Indiana couple who then accused her of being a sociopathic adult masquerading as a child, has captivated the world for years. As of December 21, 2025, the narrative has shifted dramatically from the sensationalized claims of the Barnett family to a focus on Natalia's own voice and a clearer picture of her true identity and current life. The "then" was a story of alleged deceit and abandonment; the "now" is a story of legal vindication, a new family, and a life finally lived as her true self.
The core of the mystery—her age—has been largely settled, and the legal battles that followed the explosive documentary series have concluded, leaving the public with a complex, often contradictory, but ultimately more complete understanding of her journey. From being legally re-aged from a child to an adult, to a DNA test confirming her youth, Natalia's path has been anything but ordinary, and her life today is a world away from the apartment she was allegedly left in years ago. The latest updates reveal a shocking twist in her story and a stable new beginning.
Natalia Grace: A Biographical Timeline and Profile
Natalia Grace's life is a timeline marked by displacement, legal disputes, and a relentless search for stability. The following profile summarizes the key facts about her identity and the events that defined her story:
- Full Name: Natalia Grace Mans (formerly Natalia Grace Barnett)
- Date of Birth: 2003 (Legally restored after an earlier court order changed it to 1989)
- Estimated Current Age (as of 2025): 22 years old
- Place of Birth: Ukraine
- Condition: Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (a rare bone growth disorder that results in dwarfism)
- Initial Adoption (2010): Adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett of Indiana, who believed they were adopting a 6-year-old girl.
- Age Dispute (2012): The Barnetts successfully petitioned an Indiana court to legally change Natalia’s age from 8 to 22, based on their belief she was an adult.
- Abandonment Allegation (2013): The Barnetts moved to Canada, leaving Natalia in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, a move that led to neglect charges against them.
- Legal Outcome (Barnetts): Michael Barnett was acquitted of neglect charges in 2022. Charges against Kristine Barnett were later dropped.
- Current Family: Living with Nicole and Vincent DePaul in upstate New York since 2023.
- Documentary Series: The subject of Investigation Discovery's *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace* and its second season, *Natalia Speaks*.
The Shocking 'Then'—From Orphan to Accused Adult
The story of Natalia Grace first gained national attention as a horror-movie-like tale of a family terrorized by a supposed adult posing as a child. The "then" of this story begins in 2010 when the Barnett family adopted Natalia, believing they were welcoming a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan into their home.
The Barnetts, particularly Kristine, began to harbor suspicions almost immediately, citing alleged adult behaviors, including a lack of growth, sophisticated vocabulary, and what they claimed were attempts to harm them. These claims culminated in a 2012 court petition to legally re-age Natalia from a child to an adult born in 1989. This legal maneuver was successful, officially changing her age from 8 to 22 years old.
Following the re-aging, the Barnetts moved to Canada, leaving Natalia in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, where she was allegedly forced to fend for herself. They maintained that by law, she was an adult and therefore not their responsibility. This act led to the Barnetts being charged with neglect, though Michael Barnett was acquitted in 2022, and Kristine Barnett's charges were dropped. The period between 2013 and 2019 was marked by instability for Natalia, who lived with several different foster families and caretakers, including the Mans family, whose guardianship petition was eventually dropped after the age ruling was maintained.
The 'Now'—Legal Vindication and a Stable Future in 2025
The narrative surrounding Natalia Grace has undergone a complete reversal in recent years. The "now" of her story is defined by a quest for truth and a stable, loving environment. Key to this shift was the release of the documentary series, which gave Natalia a platform to share her side of the story and offered new evidence to the public.
A DNA Test Confirms Her True Age
The most significant update came in August 2023 when a DNA test was conducted by a healthcare testing company. The results estimated Natalia's age to be approximately 22 years old at the time of the test, aligning perfectly with her original 2003 birth year and proving that she was, in fact, a child when the Barnetts adopted her and when they had her legally re-aged. Her date of birth has since been legally restored to 2003, finally dismantling the Barnetts' claim that she was a full-grown adult.
Life with the DePaul Family in Upstate New York
After years of bouncing between caretakers, Natalia has found a permanent home with the DePaul family in upstate New York. Nicole and Vincent DePaul, who also have a form of dwarfism, had originally wanted to adopt Natalia when she was younger. They have provided her with the stable, supportive environment she lacked for so long. Natalia's condition, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, means she shares a unique bond and understanding with the DePauls, allowing her to thrive in a family that accepts her fully.
The Bombshell Finale of 'Natalia Speaks'
The second season of the docuseries, *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks*, provided a final, shocking update that left viewers stunned. The finale, which aired in early 2024, revealed a twist that suggested the DePaul family, who had taken Natalia in and publicly supported her, were allegedly attempting to control her narrative and finances. This last-minute revelation detonated across social media, leaving the future of Natalia's relationship with the DePauls in question, despite her continued residence with them.
Despite the documentary's dramatic ending, the core facts of Natalia's life remain: her legal age is settled, the neglect charges against the Barnetts are resolved, and she is currently living in a supportive home environment. The focus has entirely shifted from the Barnetts' accusations to Natalia's journey of healing and stability.
Topical Entities and LSI Keywords Related to the Case
To fully understand the depth of this case, it is important to recognize the key entities and concepts that are frequently discussed alongside Natalia Grace's name. These related terms offer a broader context for the legal, medical, and media aspects of her story:
- The Barnett Family: Michael Barnett and Kristine Barnett, the original adoptive parents whose accusations of fraud and subsequent legal battle defined the initial narrative.
- The DePaul Family: Nicole and Vincent DePaul, the current family providing a home for Natalia in New York.
- Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDC): The rare genetic disorder causing dwarfism that Natalia has, a key factor in the physical characteristics the Barnetts cited as proof of her alleged adult age.
- Age Dispute: The central legal and ethical conflict of the case, revolving around the 2012 court order that legally changed Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989.
- Neglect Charges: The criminal charges filed against the Barnetts for allegedly abandoning Natalia after the age change.
- The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The popular Investigation Discovery documentary series that first brought the complex story to a global audience.
- Natalia Speaks: The second season of the documentary, which shifts the focus to Natalia’s perspective and provides the most recent updates on her life.
- Good American Family: The Hulu crime drama series that dramatizes the events of the adoption and subsequent dispute.
- Ukrainian Orphan: Natalia's origin and initial status as an adopted child from Ukraine.
- Adoption Fraud: The Barnetts' initial accusation against Natalia, claiming she was an adult committing fraud against them.
- Guardianship Petition: The legal process the Mans family attempted to undertake to gain legal custody of Natalia.
- Lafayette, Indiana: The city where the Barnetts left Natalia after moving to Canada.
- Michael Barnett Acquittal: The 2022 court ruling that found Michael Barnett not guilty of neglect.
- Legal Restoration of Age: The process that officially reverted Natalia's birth year back to 2003.
- Upstate New York: Natalia's current place of residence with the DePaul family.
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