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5 Shocking Updates On Natalia Grace's Life: Where Is The Ukrainian Orphan Now In 2025?

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The bizarre and deeply unsettling saga of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism whose adoptive parents claimed she was an adult sociopath posing as a child, has finally reached a definitive chapter in 2025. Following years of legal battles, sensational headlines, and explosive docuseries installments, the question of "Where is Natalia Grace now?" has a concrete and surprisingly hopeful answer, confirming she is actively reclaiming her narrative.

As of early 2025, the most significant update is the confirmation of her true age and her new, stable home. The intense public scrutiny fueled by the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace and Natalia Speaks has culminated in a final wave of revelations, including her recent cover story appearance in a major magazine, where she shared her side of the story and defended herself against the Barnetts' allegations of violence and deception.

Natalia Grace: A Chronological Profile & Saga Timeline

The story of Natalia Grace is one of the most complex and controversial adoption cases in modern history. Born in Ukraine with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita, a rare bone growth disorder, her journey through the U.S. foster and adoption system became a media firestorm when her age was legally challenged. This profile outlines the key events in the ongoing "Barnett family saga".

  • 2003: Natalia Grace is born in Ukraine (Original Birth Year).
  • 2008: Natalia is brought to the United States as an orphan. She is briefly placed with the Ciccone family through an adoption agency.
  • 2010: Michael and Kristine Barnett, from Indiana, adopt Natalia. She is believed to be six years old at the time.
  • 2012: The Barnetts petition the Marion County Probate Court to legally change Natalia's age from 8 to 22, alleging she is an adult posing as a child. The court grants the age-change petition, legally changing her birth year to 1989.
  • 2013: The Barnetts move to Canada, leaving Natalia to live alone in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana. They are later charged with neglect.
  • 2014-2016: Natalia is taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans (the Mans family), who act as her guardians, though they never formally adopt her.
  • 2019: The story explodes into the media, with the Barnetts making sensational claims on television, including that Natalia threatened to kill their family.
  • 2022: Michael Barnett is acquitted of neglect charges in a jury trial. Kristine Barnett's charges are later dropped.
  • 2023: The documentary series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace and the follow-up Natalia Speaks air, bringing new evidence, including DNA test results, that support Natalia's claim of being a child at the time of the abandonment.
  • Late 2023/Early 2024: Natalia has a falling out with the Mans family, citing their rules as too strict.
  • 2024: The Indiana court reverses the controversial 2012 ruling, legally restoring Natalia's birth year to 2003, confirming her identity as a minor when she was abandoned.
  • 2025: Natalia is living with the DePaul family and appears on the cover of a major magazine to share her story.

The Truth Revealed: Her Legal Status and Real Age Confirmed

For over a decade, the greatest point of contention in the Natalia Grace case was her true age, a mystery that fueled the Barnetts' claim of a "con artist" adult. The legal battle to reverse the 2012 age change was a crucial step in giving Natalia back her identity.

In a major victory for Natalia, the Indiana court officially overturned the 2012 ruling, restoring her original birth year of 2003. This reversal legally confirms that Natalia was a child, a minor, when Michael and Kristine Barnett abandoned her in the Lafayette apartment in 2013, effectively dismantling the foundation of the Barnetts' defense in the neglect case. This legal confirmation provides closure and establishes a definitive truth after years of doubt and public speculation.

Further scientific evidence also supported her claims. During the documentary's production, a DNA test was conducted by a healthcare testing company. While not a precise age determination, the test estimated that Natalia was approximately 22 years old at the time the test was taken in 2023. This estimation strongly aligned with her original 2003 birth year, contradicting the 1989 birth year the Barnetts had legally sought and obtained.

A New Chapter: Living with the DePaul Family in 2025

The most recent and positive update in Natalia’s life is her new, stable living situation. After a tumultuous period with the Mans family, which ended due to what Natalia described as a too-strict environment, she sought out a new, supportive home.

The DePaul Family Connection

Natalia is currently living with Nicole and Vincent DePaul, a couple who had previously attempted to adopt her. The DePauls, who also have dwarfism, developed a close relationship with Natalia. This connection proved vital when she needed a new place to live, and she and her boyfriend reached out to them. The DePauls represent a significant positive entity in her life, offering a stable environment and a family unit that understands the physical and social challenges of her condition, Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita.

Reclaiming Her Narrative

In January 2025, Natalia took a major step in reclaiming control over her public image by appearing on the cover of *People Magazine*. In the accompanying exclusive interview, she spoke out, defending herself against the Barnetts' allegations of violence and addressing the long-standing questions about her character. Her statement, "I'm really just trying to take control of my story," highlights her intention to move past the sensationalism of the "Curious Case" and establish her own truth. This act is a powerful demonstration of her maturity and desire for a normal life, free from the shadow of the Barnett family saga.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords in Natalia Grace's Story

The complexity of this case involves numerous individuals, legal actions, and entities that have shaped Natalia's life and the public’s perception of her. To fully understand the topical authority of the case, it is important to recognize these factors:

  • Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita: The rare genetic disorder that causes her dwarfism, which the Barnetts allegedly used to support their age claims.
  • Michael Barnett & Kristine Barnett: The original adoptive parents whose claims sparked the entire controversy and legal battles.
  • The Mans Family (Antwon & Cynthia Mans): The subsequent guardians who took Natalia in after she was abandoned, though their relationship eventually ended.
  • The DePaul Family (Nicole & Vincent DePaul): Natalia's current guardians, providing her with a stable, supportive home.
  • Indiana Court System: The legal body that both granted the initial age change and later reversed the ruling to restore her true birth year.
  • Lafayette, Indiana: The city where Natalia was left to live alone.
  • DNA Test: The scientific evidence used to corroborate Natalia's claims about her real age.
  • Neglect Charges: The criminal charges filed against the Barnetts for abandoning a minor.
  • Adoption Controversy: The overarching theme of the case, highlighting flaws in the adoption and child protection system.
  • Ukrainian Orphan: Her origin and background, which is a key part of her identity.
  • The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The initial docuseries that brought the story to a wider audience.
  • Natalia Speaks: The follow-up series where Natalia gave her side of the story.
  • The Final Chapter: The January 2025 documentary installment that covered the latest legal and life updates.

Natalia Grace's journey is a powerful example of resilience in the face of extraordinary public and private trauma. With her legal identity restored and a supportive family by her side, the "final chapter" of the documentary series appears to coincide with a genuine new beginning for Natalia in 2025.

natalia grace where is she now
natalia grace where is she now

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