Natalia Grace’s parents insists everything is ‘perfect’ with their adopted daughter, in wake of the bombshell documentary about her life where they claim to be ‘done’ with her.
The Ukrainian orphan, who is estimated to be 22 years old, recently appeared in The Confessions Of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.
The series featured DNA evidence and dental records allegedly proving that Natalia was a child when her first adoptive family, Michael and Kristine Barnett, successfully petitioned a judge to re-age her to 22.
Natalia, who was born with a rare form of dwarfism, was then legally adopted by Indiana couple Antwon and Cynthia Mans.
Natalia Grace’s parents insists everything is ‘perfect’ with their adopted daughter, in wake of the bombshell documentary (Pictured is Natalia with her adoptive mom, Cynthia Mans)
The Ukrainian orphan, who is estimated to be 22 years old, recently appeared in The Confessions Of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks
The couple defended Natalia throughout the duration of the show until six months later producers received a call from the Mans family who revealed they were ‘done’ with Natalia.
In a phone call, Antwon told producers: ‘Something ain’t right with Natalia. This girl is tweakin’.
‘I feel like she’s the enemy in the house. And she said to us [that] we have held her hostage. Made us look like we’re the enemy.’
Cynthia claimed the orphan was ‘stabbing her family in the back over a complete lie’ before Antwon added: ‘Natalia does not have emotions for nothing but herself. We’re done. We’re done with her.’
However, the couple say that is not the case.
‘We are absolutely perfect,’ Cynthia in an interview with The Sun. ‘No, she doesn’t live with us but we are fine.’
Cynthia said Natalia was ‘living with friends’ and the family were in regular contact with her.
She also shared a screenshot of herself and Natalia on a FaceTime call with The Sun, which was reportedly taken this week.
‘It’s rough, but with God, we gonna make it,’ Cynthia said. ‘I am in prayer.’
The orphan, who is estimated to be 22 years old, appeared in The Confessions Of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, which saw her legally adopted by Antwon and Cynthia Mans (pictured)
The couple defended Natalia throughout the duration of the show, until six months later producers received a call from the Mans family who revealed they were ‘done’ with Natalia
Natalia has not addressed the situation herself, but interactions on social media seemingly show there’s no bad blood between the two
In the aftermath of the family split, Natalia has set up her own GoFundMe page in an attempt to raise money for housing and medical procedures
Natalia recently shared an Instagram post with her 10,000 followers, uploading a smiling selfie alongside a caption that read: ‘I am okay and doing well and thank you all for your support’
Natalia has not addressed the situation herself, but interactions on social media seemingly show there’s no bad blood between herself and her adopted family.
In a TikTok video shared on December 29, she shared a series of photos from the year, writing: ‘2023 was amazing but 2024 is gonna be awesome.’
A comment from an account called The Mans Family read: ‘I love you so much my forever baby,’ with Natalia replying: ‘I love you mama.’
Recently Natalia took to Instagram to speak out for the first time since the bombshell revelation – as she also launched a $20,000 GoFundMe for spinal surgery and housing.
She also shared an Instagram post with her 10,000 followers, uploading a smiling selfie alongside a caption that read: ‘I am okay and doing well and thank you all for your support and prayers.
‘I wish I could tell you more about the show but I signed an agreement with the show to keep things confidential for now.
‘I will let you guys know when I can for sure, but just know I am okay. Love y’all.’
The strange saga of Natalia Grace began after her previous adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, adopted her in April 2010, believing they were taking home a six-year-old child.
The couple – who have since divorced – later accused her of being a sociopath adult masquerading as a child, claiming she had conned her way into their family when they took her in.
They insisted that their idyllic family life had been ruined by Natalia and suspected she was older than her Ukrainian birth certificate claimed – alleging she ‘had full pubic hair’ and was hiding her menstrual periods from them.
Natalia Grace still appears on the social media pages for the Mans Family (pictured)
The Barnetts – who had divorced – were charged with neglect but Michael was acquitted in October 2022, and Kristine had her charges dropped weeks before her trial in March 2023
The Mans family fiercely defended Natalia throughout the show – but six months later producers received a call from them and revealed they were ‘done’ with her once and for all
The Barnetts also claimed she displayed violent, disturbing and erratic behavior, including threatening to kill them by looming over their bed with a knife and poisoning Kristine’s coffee.
Natalia has never been charged with a crime.
The bizarre series of events saw the couple from Lafayette, Indiana, successfully file a petition in probate court in 2012 to have the orphan’s birth year pushed back 14 years making her a 22-year-old adult in the eyes of the law.
In July 2013, they left her to live alone in an apartment while they fled with their three biological sons to live in Canada.
If her Ukrainian birth records were accurate, she would have been nine years old at the time.
Despite her age being legally changed, five years later in 2019, the Barnetts – who had divorced – were charged with neglect because, even if she wasn’t actually a minor, Natalia’s dwarfism meant she was dependent on them.
Michael was acquitted in October 2022, and Kristine had her charges dropped three weeks before her trial in March 2023.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk