Natalia Grace, 21, has publicly denied accusations of abuse leveled against her by her former adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, in a recent interview. The interview, published Friday, details the tumultuous relationship and subsequent legal battles between Grace and the Barnett family.
Grace, who was born with dwarfism, argues that she was subjected to manipulative tactics by her adoptive parents. She claims to have been "brainwashed" into making false statements about her actions and behavior.
In 2012, the Barnett family altered Grace's birth certificate, effectively changing her age from 2003 to 1989. This led to Grace being removed from her family and placed in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, and subsequent disconnection. The family's actions were prompted by Grace's lack of physical growth, which they attributed to factors such as intentional misrepresentation and other forms of deliberate deceptive action.
The 2023 docuseries, "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace," featured accusations from the Barnetts that Grace had threatened them with knives, terrorized their son, and tried to poison Kristine's coffee. They also alleged that professionals deemed Grace a sociopath, citing a perceived danger to the family. These claims are now refuted by Grace in the recent interview.
Grace's interview emphasizes the physical limitations imposed by her dwarfism. She argues that these restrictions make the accusations of violent behavior implausible. "Do I look like somebody that could push someone twice my size into a fence? Do I look like I could even grip a knife?" she questioned.
Furthermore, Grace maintains that the Barnetts orchestrated events to portray her in a negative light. She cites coercive tactics in manipulating her narrative. The interview sheds light on the alleged coercive methods employed by the Barnetts.
A separate legal proceeding involving Michael Barnett concluded with a not-guilty verdict on neglect charges in 2022, despite Grace's testimony about the detrimental neglect experienced under the Barnetts' care. Charges against Kristine were dismissed.
Grace's story also highlights the intense public scrutiny she has faced, including accusations of dishonesty and criminal behavior. She expresses the pain of being labeled as a "liar" and a "pedophile" by the public, asserting that this perception misrepresents her true nature and character.
The interview also touches upon the difficulties of self-sufficiency while facing the perceived barriers of dwarfism. She describes the isolation she felt during her time living alone in Lafayette and the lack of support from her former adoptive parents.
Following her stay in Lafayette, Grace found a new home with Cynthia and Antwon Manes, who later legally adopted her. However, disagreements arose concerning Grace's interactions and independence, leading to her departure in 2023. Grace's decision to leave home is featured in the new season of the docuseries. The new season of the docuseries, titled "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter," will air on Max, starting January 6th.
