Current:Home > ScamsNatalia Grace Case: DNA Test Reveals Ukrainian Orphan's Real Age-LoTradeCoin
Natalia Grace Case: DNA Test Reveals Ukrainian Orphan's Real Age
View Date:2024-12-24 00:45:02
Natalia Grace is feeling vindicated.
In the newly released ID docuseries, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks, the Ukrainian orphan—who was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett in 2010—detailed her experience with the Barnetts and the subsequent aftermath of her adoption.
Though the former couple alleged that Natalia—who has spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare genetic disorder—was not a young girl at the time of her adoption, but rather an adult with dangerous tendencies, Natalia has long maintained that she was truly a child when she began living with the Barnetts.
And in the premiere episode of the docuseries, a DNA test conducted by a medical lab concluded Natalia was around 22 years old as of August 2023, indicating that she would've been approximately 9 years old when she moved in with her adoptive parents.
"This one little piece of paper throws every single lie that the Barnetts has said right into the trash with a match," Natalia said in the first episode of the multi-part series. "This is so big. Because literally, this has been 13 years of just two people lying their butts off. They ruined a kid's life. They painted [me] as some big monster."
The Ukraine native noted that the results "just proves that I was not lying about my age."
"They ignored everything that was pointing to the truth just so they could create this stupid lie," she continued, referring to Michael and Kristine. "They knew it and they still did what they did."
After accusing her of attempting to harm them on several different occasions, in 2012, the Barnetts petitioned a court to change Natalia's birth year from 2003 to 1989, making her 20 years old when they adopted her.
The following year, Michael and Kristine subsequently moved with their three sons to Canada, leaving Natalia to live by herself in an apartment in Lafayette, Ind.
Six years later, the former couple—who finalized their divorce in 2018—were brought up on charges in connection to their move. Michael was found not guilty on his charges in 2022, while prosecutors dropped their case against his ex-wife in March 2023.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (8552)
Related
- NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
- Thousands of discouraged migrants are stranded in Niger because of border closures following coup
- Camila Alves Dispels Getting High, Laid Back Image of Husband Matthew McConaughey
- Lawyers win access to files in New Hampshire youth detention center abuse case
- Why Officials Believe a Missing Kayaker Faked His Own Death and Ran Off to Europe
- Georgia Sheriff Kristopher Coody pleads guilty to groping Judge Glenda Hatchett
- Fake Arizona rehab centers scam Native Americans far from home, officials warn during investigations
- Major artists are reportedly ditching their A-list manager. Here's what's going on
- Gossip Girl Actress Chanel Banks Reported Missing After Vanishing in California
- 1 student killed, 23 injured after school bus flips in Ohio to avoid striking minivan
Ranking
- Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
- Big Brother comes to MLB? Phillies launch facial recognition at Citizens Bank Ballpark
- Construction workers among those more likely to die from overdoses during pandemic, CDC says
- Big Brother comes to MLB? Phillies launch facial recognition at Citizens Bank Ballpark
- Businesses at struggling corner where George Floyd was killed sue Minneapolis
- Georgia school district is banning books, citing sexual content, after firing a teacher
- Trump says he will surrender Thursday to Fulton County authorities
- Major artists are reportedly ditching their A-list manager. Here's what's going on
Recommendation
-
Mike Tyson is expected to honor late daughter during Jake Paul fight. Here's how.
-
Tropical Storm Harold forms in Gulf, immediately heads for Texas
-
Bobby Flay talks 'Triple Threat,' and how he 'handed' Guy Fieri a Food Network job
-
Want to tune in for the first GOP presidential debate? Here’s how to watch
-
Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
-
To expand abortion access in Texas, a lawmaker gets creative
-
Want to tune in for the first GOP presidential debate? Here’s how to watch
-
See Nick Jonas Carry Daughter Malti in IKEA Basket on Central Park Outing With Priyanka Chopra