The story of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan at the center of a sensational and twisted international saga, has captivated the world for over a decade, but the most significant updates have emerged very recently. As of December 2025, Natalia Grace is no longer living with the Mans family, the couple who officially adopted her in 2023, and has found a new home in upstate New York with a different family who share her experience of dwarfism.
This latest turn of events, which was revealed in the explosive final installment of her documentary series, provides a definitive, yet still complex, answer to the burning question: "Where is she now?" The resolution of her legal age controversy and her shift to a new, supportive environment marks a potential new beginning for a woman whose life has been defined by accusations, neglect, and a relentless search for a stable home. The full truth of her journey, from an Indiana nightmare to a new life in New York, is finally coming to light.
Natalia Grace: A Biographical Timeline of Controversy and Survival
Natalia Grace’s life has been a turbulent series of adoptions, legal battles, and media scrutiny. Her biography is less a traditional timeline of career achievements and more a documentation of a fight for identity and stability.
- Full Name: Natalya Grace Barnett (previously), Natalyah Grace Renee Mans (legally adopted name).
- Date of Birth: 2003 (Legally restored date).
- Place of Birth: Ukraine.
- Condition: Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (a rare bone growth disorder resulting in dwarfism).
- First Adoptive Family (2010): Michael and Kristine Barnett of Lafayette, Indiana.
- Age Controversy (2012): The Barnetts successfully petitioned the Tippecanoe County Court to legally change her birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively changing her age from 8 to 22.
- Neglect Charges (2014): The Barnetts were charged with neglect of a dependent after moving Natalia into an apartment and moving to Canada.
- Second Adoptive Family (2014–2023): Antwon and Cynthia Mans of Crawfordsville, Indiana.
- Official Adoption (2023): The Mans family officially adopted Natalia, a moment documented in the Investigation Discovery (ID) series.
- Current Status (2025): Living with the DePaul family in upstate New York.
The Barnett Nightmare and The Resolution of the Age Controversy
The world first became obsessed with Natalia Grace’s story following the shocking claims made by her first adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett. They adopted Natalia from Ukraine in 2010, believing she was a six-year-old child. However, they soon claimed she was actually an adult—a "sociopath" posing as a child who was attempting to harm them and their biological children, including their genius son, Jake Barnett.
In 2012, the Barnetts took the controversial step of petitioning the Tippecanoe County Court to legally change Natalia's age, successfully having her birth year changed from 2003 to 1989.
This legal maneuver was the core of the entire controversy. By legally re-aging her, the Barnetts were able to leave her in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, and move to Canada in 2013, claiming they were abandoning an adult, not a child. This action led to their eventual charges of neglect of a dependent.
Legal Outcomes and Vindication
The legal battles that followed were long and complex. Michael Barnett was tried first and ultimately acquitted of the neglect charges in 2022. The charges against Kristine Barnett were later dropped.
However, a crucial development provided a measure of vindication for Natalia. Her legal age was eventually restored to her original 2003 birth year. This move effectively reversed the Barnetts’ controversial petition, confirming that she was indeed a child when they abandoned her.
The Barnetts’ account was heavily scrutinized in the media, particularly in the Investigation Discovery (ID) docuseries *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace* and its follow-up, *Natalia Speaks*. These documentaries brought to light evidence suggesting Natalia was a child who was neglected, rather than an adult who was manipulative.
The Mans Family Adoption and The Unexpected 2025 Fallout
After being left to fend for herself, Natalia was eventually taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, a compassionate couple from Crawfordsville, Indiana. The Mans family provided her with a stable environment for many years, and she often referred to them as her true family.
In a heartwarming turn of events documented for the public, the Mans family officially adopted Natalia in 2023, offering a sense of closure and permanence that had long eluded her.
However, the final installment of the documentary trilogy, *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter*, which premiered in January 2025, revealed a shocking new twist. The relationship between Natalia and the Mans family had deteriorated.
A New Rift Emerges
According to the documentary, the Mans family grew increasingly strict, and Natalia felt the need to leave. This revelation sent shockwaves through viewers who had hoped the Manses would be her final, loving home.
The fallout was heartbreaking, marking the end of what many believed was a successful adoption story. The documentary showed the emotional turmoil of this separation, highlighting that even in a seemingly safe environment, Natalia’s complex history and unique circumstances continued to present challenges.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now? The DePaul Chapter (2025 Update)
The most current and definitive answer to the question "Where is she now?" comes from the final documentary chapter. As of late 2024 and confirmed in 2025, Natalia Grace is living in upstate New York with the DePaul family.
The DePauls are a couple who connected with Natalia through a mutual friend. Crucially, both Nicole and Vincent DePaul, like Natalia, have a form of dwarfism. This shared experience is believed to provide a level of understanding and support that her previous adoptive families could not offer.
A New Beginning in Upstate New York
Natalia moved in with the DePauls in 2023, and while the transition was reportedly "bumpy" at first, she has since settled into her new life.
This new chapter represents a significant shift towards stability and normalcy. Living with the DePauls allows Natalia to be part of a family that understands the daily realities of living with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita. The DePauls are committed to helping Natalia navigate her adult life, which is a stark contrast to the drama and accusations that defined her years with the Barnetts.
Natalia has expressed a desire for a quiet life away from the intense media scrutiny that followed the Investigation Discovery series. While she participated in the final chapter to share her truth, her current focus is on building a stable, private future. The DePaul family’s commitment to her well-being, combined with the legal confirmation of her true age, finally provides Natalia Grace with the foundation she was denied for so long. The hope is that this final chapter in her search for a home will be the one that lasts.
Detail Author:
- Name : Mrs. Vallie Romaguera
- Username : blockman
- Email : wiegand.elroy@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 1980-05-20
- Address : 637 Jerome Rest Suite 824 Vidastad, AZ 11001
- Phone : +1-262-558-8627
- Company : Glover Ltd
- Job : Technical Program Manager
- Bio : Ipsam quod consequuntur commodi dolorem culpa. Aut numquam in dolore cum et magni. Officia ut deleniti doloremque molestias animi aperiam. Exercitationem iure quidem sunt vel.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@elza.carroll
- username : elza.carroll
- bio : Quo nihil voluptatem quod.
- followers : 4934
- following : 515
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/elza_carroll
- username : elza_carroll
- bio : Optio perspiciatis expedita nisi ipsam. Praesentium quae et explicabo pariatur.
- followers : 6705
- following : 1507
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/ecarroll
- username : ecarroll
- bio : Eligendi ut ad velit sed et dolorem vero ut.
- followers : 4390
- following : 69
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/carrolle
- username : carrolle
- bio : Atque iste cumque quaerat soluta delectus magnam.
- followers : 1446
- following : 2129