Hulu’s gripping new series, Good American Family, dives into the shocking real-life story of Natalia Grace. The eight-part drama, starring Ellen Pompeo, portrays the tumultuous journey of a Ukrainian girl adopted in the U.S. who later found herself at the center of controversy. But how much of the show is rooted in truth?
Who is Natalia Grace?
Natalia Grace was born in Ukraine in 2003 and was placed for adoption at a young age. In 2008, she was adopted by an American couple, Dyan and Gary Ciccone. However, due to reported behavioral issues, the Ciccones relinquished custody within a year.
In 2010, Kristine and Michael Barnett from Indiana adopted Grace, believing her to be six years old. However, their relationship quickly took a bizarre turn.
The Barnetts’ Claims and Legal Battle
Shortly after adopting Grace, the Barnetts began suspecting that she was much older than she claimed. They alleged that she had adult features such as pubic hair and menstruation, suggesting she was an adult pretending to be a child. The couple went so far as to have her birth year legally changed from 2003 to 1989, effectively making her 22 years old.
The Barnetts later accused Grace of violent behavior, including poisoning attempts and physical threats. Grace denied these claims, stating she was manipulated into making false confessions.
In 2013, the Barnetts left Grace in an Indiana apartment and moved to Canada. Years later, they were charged with neglect, though the charges were dismissed after legal disputes over her age.
A New Family and More Allegations
After being abandoned, Grace found refuge with Cynthia and Antwon Mans, who initially charged her rent before attempting to adopt her. While the adoption was finalized in 2023, Grace later left their home under troubling circumstances.
Reports surfaced alleging that the Mans family abused her, with witnesses claiming she was whipped and locked in a room. However, Grace has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations, and the Manses have not commented.
DNA Evidence and the Truth About Her Age
In 2024, a DNA test revealed that Grace was approximately 22 years old, confirming that she was indeed a child when the Barnetts adopted her. This finding discredited the Barnetts’ claims and validated Grace’s long-standing assertion that she had been unfairly misrepresented.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now?
Since leaving the Mans’ home, Grace has been living with Nicole and Vince DePaul, a family of little people who had previously attempted to adopt her. She is now working towards independence, studying for her GED, and planning a future as a teacher, mother, and wife.
Grace’s story, now dramatized in Good American Family, remains a compelling tale of survival, resilience, and the complexities of adoption and legal identity.
