Unveiling the Mysteries Surrounding Natalia Grace's Whereabouts
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Unraveling the mystery surrounding Natalia Grace's true identity and her current whereabouts Discover the shocking revelations made by Freddie Gill about Michael Barnett Find out where you can stream this captivating documentary online
In this breakdown of the documentary series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, we delve into the details of the case, the current whereabouts of Natalia, and Freddie Gill's testimony regarding Michael Barnett. Additionally, we provide updates on the subsequent documentary, Natalia Speaks.
The perplexing case of Natalia Grace is truly stranger than fiction, remaining shrouded in uncertainty till this day. Ultimately, it revolves around two conflicting narratives: one asserts that she is a victimized Ukrainian child who was abandoned by her adoptive family, while the other alleges that she is a dangerous psychopath who deceitfully posed as a child to exploit her caregivers.
The scandal first emerged in 2010, but it wasn't until 2019 when the woman involved in the controversy made an appearance on Dr. Phil. Recently, a new docu-series called The Curious Case of Natalia Grace has reignited interest from viewers worldwide, as it delves into a court case that raises even more questions. If you're seeking a summary of the case, this article provides all the essential details, including the outcome for Natalia, her adoptive parents Michael and Kristine Barnett, her current whereabouts, and where to watch the series. Warning: Spoilers lie ahead, and the content may be distressing for some.
What is The Curious Case of Natalia Grace about?
The case of Natalia Grace and the Barnetts, explored in this docu-series, presents a storyline reminiscent of a captivating movie. In 2010, Michael and Kristine Barnett, an American couple, adopted Natalia, who hails from Ukraine.
Starting with Michael's perspective, he explains that his family initially believed Natalia, whom they welcomed into their lives, was a six-year-old child with a type of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc). This belief was based on their past experience with children with special needs, including their son Jacob, who is a child prodigy diagnosed with autism.
However, doubts started to arise for the Barnetts as they noticed certain signs. They discovered that Natalia had developed full pubic hair and experienced a menstrual period, which seemed unusual for a child her age. Their suspicions deepened when they arranged a playdate with another six-year-old girl who also had SEDc, only to realize that Natalia appeared older than her.
However, Natalia's troubling behavior, as accused by Michael, far surpassed these concerns. He asserts that she not only made threats to kill them but also startled him in the middle of the night by standing at the foot of their bed with a knife in hand. He further claims that she intentionally defecated to provoke Jacob, plotted to harm their sons by attempting to have them run over, and even went as far as trying to poison Kristine before dragging her into an electric fence.
After seeking help from multiple therapists, Michael ultimately obtained a diagnosis of psychopathy for Natalia. Subsequently, in 2012, the family managed to acquire a court order that legally changed Natalia's age from eight to 22, following thorough evaluations and assessments.
Although this relieved the Barnetts of their financial obligation towards her, they decided to rent an apartment for Natalia in close proximity, and the neighbors kindly offered their support. However, the neighbors began expressing worries regarding Natalia's conduct, as she even dialed 911 on herself and confessed to stalking one of the residents.
The family subsequently relocated her to another apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, before ultimately moving to Canada to ensure their son's education. This aspect of the narrative has sparked intense controversy, with numerous individuals condemning the Barnetts for seemingly forsaking an individual in a vulnerable position.
Discovery+Michael and Kristine Barnett
In 2019, the couple faced legal repercussions for the neglect of a dependent. Public opinion was divided, with some believing the Barnetts' claims about Natalia's age and others sympathizing with Natalia as an abandoned victim. However, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace sheds light on the situation and uncovers shocking accusations against the Barnetts. Initially, Michael dedicates a significant portion of his interview to criticize Natalia, but he eventually shifts his focus to his ex-wife, Kristine. Their bitter divorce is revealed, and Michael accuses Kristine of being a "master manipulator" who physically abused Natalia and forced her to stand against a wall for hours, hoping to extract the truth about her past.
In another part of the documentary, Jacob claims that when he was 12 years old, Kristine coerced him into urinating on Natalia's bed as a form of "revenge" for Natalia having done the same in their own home. He expresses profound shame and regret for his actions, suggesting that Natalia's problematic behavior may have stemmed from the trauma she experienced from constantly being moved from one home to another.
The issue of Natalia's age also becomes a topic of debate. Despite the Barnetts legally moving her out of their house when she turned 22, Anna Gava, who was confirmed to be Natalia's biological mother through a DNA test, disputes this claim.
Gava revealed in the documentary that Natalia was born on September 4, 2003, at 6.25am in Maternity Hospital No. 1. Gava also confirmed that Natalia is her biological daughter. If this information is accurate, it suggests that Natalia was indeed a child when the Barnetts adopted her and subsequently left her to live independently. Regardless of her age, many question why Michael and Kristine left a vulnerable person, with a disability, to fend for herself in an apartment without any support or assistance. Several of Natalia’s neighbors share the belief that she required care and should not have been abandoned.
Discovery+Michael alleges that his former spouse Kristine engaged in abusive behavior.
In October 2022, Natalia brought Michael to court, resulting in the dismissal of four charges of neglect against him after he was declared not guilty. During the trial, she testified that she lacked the necessary skills to live independently during that time and expressed her desire to reside with the Barnetts when they relocated to Lafayette.
Kristine was expected to go to trial in April 2023, where Michael was summoned to testify against her. However, the court dropped all charges related to Natalia's age and dismissed the neglect charges due to lack of evidence.
While The Curious Case of Natalia Grace does offer fresh insight through detailed interviews with those involved, the truth remains elusive. It is trapped in a complex web of medical examinations, legal technicalities, and changing accounts. Regrettably, numerous lingering questions persist, particularly with the series ending in a dramatic fashion.
What did Freddie Gill say about Michael Barnett?
At the conclusion of the series, entertainer and former acquaintance of Kristine, Freddie Gill, makes an appearance through a computer screen. He reveals, "Kristine conveyed to me through a series of messages that Natalia was responsible for devastating her life. In numerous ways, Kristine essentially implied that Michael... Natalia instigated...". However, his sentence is abruptly cut off as Michael forcefully closes the laptop and storms off the set.
Earlier in the final episode of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, we meet Freddie, who reveals that he initiated contact with Kristine through social media when she and Michael first adopted Natalia. Freddie, who also has dwarfism, offered advice to Kristine. However, their conversations quickly turned inappropriate, with Freddie presenting proof of their exchanges, including explicit photos that Kristine had sent to him.
Discovery+Freddie Gill provides evidence of his interactions with Kristine.
Surprisingly, Kristine took the initiative to message Freddie, proposing the idea of arranging a night out with Natalia. However, Freddie did not respond and, in fact, expressed his discomfort on camera, stating, "It gave me shivers to think that anybody would even remotely do that."
In the following scene, the producers inform Michael of another important matter that Freddie shared with them. They mention that it involves a serious accusation about Michael. Agreeing to watch the clip, Michael positions the laptop in front of him as Freddie begins to speak. However, before Freddie can complete his sentence, Michael interrupts him.
Freddie later promises the producers that he will "act in accordance with justice" and "speak honestly" in court during Kristine's trial. Nevertheless, as previously mentioned, the trial did not take place.
Where is Natalia Grace now?
Currently, we can only speculate on Freddie's statements, but we might obtain further clarification in an upcoming follow-up special called The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, expected to be released in the near future.
Natalia, known for still residing in Indiana, has been under the care of Antwon and Cynthia Mans since 2014. Both Antwon and Cynthia appeared on Dr. Phil in 2019 to share that they have witnessed no concerning behavior from Natalia.
Despite the support from the Mans, Natalia vehemently denies the accusations made against her. During her appearance on Dr. Phil, she highlighted that Kristine alleged she had concealed knives in various locations, such as on top of the fridge, under the fridge, in the cabinets, and even on her office desk. However, Natalia emphasized that she would have been physically incapable of reaching many of these places.
Discover more about Natalia's circumstances in the upcoming Natalia Speaks sequel documentary. The official synopsis delves into Natalia's perspective on the events that unfolded within the Barnett family household and directly confronts the allegations made against her.
Where to watch The Curious Case of Natalia Grace online
Natalia has, until now, been unable to share her story, as it had been concealed by a gag order resulting from the legal proceedings involving Michael and Kristine Barnett's arrest in 2019.
Stream all six episodes of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace now on Max and Discovery Plus. You can also watch the series on Amazon Prime Video by adding the Max or Discovery Plus add-ons.
Although the Natalia Speaks special was announced to be released on Investigation Discovery "later this summer," it has not yet premiered as of November 2023. There are speculations that it might air in January. We will provide an update when an official release date is announced.
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Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan, I am intrigued by the mysterious case of Natalia Grace and the Barnetts, which has captivated audiences worldwide. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, a gripping docu-series, delves into the unsettling details surrounding Natalia's true identity and her current whereabouts. The conflicting narratives presented in the series leave viewers questioning the truth behind Natalia's persona—is she a victimized Ukrainian child or a dangerous psychopath?
The Barnetts' initial belief that Natalia was a six-year-old child with SEDc adds a layer of complexity to the case. Their past experience with children with special needs, including their son Jacob, might have influenced their perception of Natalia's behavior. However, as doubts arose and Natalia's disturbing actions came to light, their perspective shifted dramatically. Michael's allegations against Natalia, including threats, aggression, and manipulative behavior, paint a picture of a deeply troubled individual.
