The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace: 5 Shocking New Facts About 'The Bad Orphan' True Story In 2025

The true story behind the sensationally titled 'The Bad Orphan' is a labyrinth of accusations, legal battles, and a desperate search for the truth about a young Ukrainian girl named Natalia Grace. As of December 10, 2025, this case—which captivated the world through the documentary series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace—continues to evolve, with new scientific evidence and life updates challenging everything the public thought they knew about her age and intentions.

The narrative, which saw adoptive parents Michael and Kristine Barnett accuse their adopted daughter of being an adult sociopath pretending to be a child, has been repeatedly compared to the horror film Orphan. The latest revelations in 2025, however, paint a much clearer, and perhaps more tragic, picture of the events that unfolded after Natalia was adopted and subsequently abandoned in an Indiana apartment.

The Central Figures: A Brief Biography of the Barnetts and Natalia Grace

• Natalia Grace Barnett: Born in Ukraine (estimated 2003/2004 based on 2025 DNA test results). Adopted by the Barnetts in 2010. She has a rare form of dwarfism called Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDc). She was at the center of a high-profile age fraud and neglect case. As of 2025, she is living independently with a new family, learning to drive, and studying for her GED.
• Michael Barnett: Adoptive father of Natalia Grace. He was charged with neglect but was acquitted in 2022. He appeared in the follow-up documentary, Natalia Speaks, often expressing remorse and confusion over the events. He divorced Kristine Barnett in 2018 and currently lives in Indiana.
• Kristine Barnett: Adoptive mother of Natalia Grace. She was the most vocal proponent of the theory that Natalia was an adult sociopath and publicly compared the case to the movie Orphan. She was charged with neglect but the charges were eventually dropped in 2023. She and Michael divorced in 2018.

The Core Controversy: Adoption, Age Fraud, and Abandonment

The saga began in 2010 when Michael and Kristine Barnett, an Indiana couple, adopted Natalia, believing she was a six-year-old Ukrainian orphan with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita, a disorder that causes short stature and skeletal abnormalities. Almost immediately, the Barnetts claimed they noticed disturbing behaviors, including threats and attempts to harm them, which led them to believe she was not a child at all.

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Kristine Barnett became convinced that Natalia was a conniving adult, a sentiment she later admitted was inspired by the 2009 horror film Orphan, where a seemingly innocent child is revealed to be a homicidal 33-year-old woman.

In 2012, the Barnetts successfully petitioned an Indiana court to legally change Natalia's birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively changing her age from eight to 22. This legal change was the foundation for their defense. In 2013, the Barnetts moved to Canada with their three biological sons, leaving Natalia in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, where they had helped her secure a lease.

This act of abandonment led to the Barnetts being charged with neglect of a dependent in 2019. The ensuing legal battle and media frenzy launched the case into global infamy, positioning Natalia as either a victim of horrific abuse or a dangerous perpetrator of age fraud.

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5 Shocking New Facts and Updates on the Case in 2025

The narrative of 'The Bad Orphan' has been heavily scrutinized, but recent developments have provided concrete answers and a path forward for Natalia Grace.

1. The Definitive DNA Test Revealed Her True Age

For years, the central question was Natalia's actual age. In a pivotal moment revealed in the documentary follow-up, a DNA test conducted by the medical lab TruDiagnostic provided a clear answer. The test concluded that Natalia is approximately 22 years old as of 2025, meaning she would have been around 9 years old when she was adopted by the Barnetts in 2010. This finding directly contradicts the Barnetts' claim that she was an adult woman in her 20s when they left her behind, significantly bolstering the argument that she was a child victim of neglect.

2. Michael Barnett Was Acquitted, and Kristine’s Charges Were Dropped

Despite the overwhelming public opinion and the new DNA evidence, the legal process concluded with no jail time for the Barnetts. Michael Barnett was charged with neglect of a dependent but was acquitted in 2022. Kristine Barnett faced similar charges, but prosecutors dropped them in 2023. The legal system’s inability to secure a conviction, even with the new evidence, has been a major point of discussion, highlighting the complexities of the initial court-ordered age change.

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3. Natalia is Now Preparing for Full Independence

After the events with the Barnetts, Natalia was taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, a family who also appeared in the documentary. However, the latest updates from early 2025 reveal that Natalia had a falling out with the Mans family. Despite this setback, Natalia is focusing on building a new life. She told reporters in January 2025 that she is now preparing to live independently by learning to drive and studying for her GED, demonstrating a commitment to a stable, adult life.

4. The Barnetts Have Remained Silent Since the Final Documentary Aired

While Michael Barnett participated heavily in the documentary follow-up, Natalia Speaks, where he was seen confronting Natalia and expressing his side of the story, both he and Kristine Barnett have since retreated from the public eye. As the latest installments of the docuseries aired, both Michael and Kristine have chosen to keep quiet, avoiding further media commentary on the case. This silence follows years of intense public scrutiny and their respective legal battles.

5. The Case Continues to Inspire 'True Crime' Adaptations

The disturbing nature of the Natalia Grace story has continued to inspire media adaptations. Beyond the popular documentary series, the case was the loose inspiration for the 2023 Lifetime psychological thriller movie titled The Bad Orphan. The film, which features a couple adopting a mysterious girl who may not be a child, confirms the enduring fascination with the 'age fraud' and 'evil child' narrative that Kristine Barnett originally put forth, further cementing the case’s place in true crime lore.

The Legacy of 'The Bad Orphan' and the Quest for Truth

The true story of 'The Bad Orphan'—the moniker given to Natalia Grace by the media—is a harrowing tale of a vulnerable child with a disability caught in a maelstrom of fear, legal loopholes, and public spectacle. The case touches on deep societal anxieties about adoption, the reliability of parental testimony, and the tragic consequences of age fraud.

The 2025 updates provide a definitive conclusion to the age question, validating Natalia's long-held claim that she was a child when she was abandoned. Her current pursuit of independence marks a significant, positive turning point, moving her away from the traumatic events of her past. While the Barnetts' legal charges are resolved, the moral and ethical questions surrounding their actions continue to be debated by true crime enthusiasts and the wider public, ensuring this curious case remains a cautionary tale for years to come.