Since its premiere just a few days ago, the crime series Good American Family has sparked a lot of discussions among streaming users, as it covers the real (and highly controversial) case of an orphan named Natalia Grace and what she went through with her adoptive families.
But who is Natalia Grace? How old is she really? What does she suffer from? Where is she now, after everything she went through? We’ll answer all these questions and more here.
Who is Natalia Grace?
Natalia Grace, who suffers from a rare form of dwarfism known as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc), was adopted in 2008 from Ukraine by a couple from New Hampshire. However, two years later, she was put up for adoption again.
In 2010, Kristine Elizabeth Barnett, 45, and her husband Michael Barnett, 43, took her in, believing she was around seven years old. However, shortly after, they claimed the girl exhibited strange and potentially dangerous behavior, along with what appeared to be signs of puberty, such as pubic hair and hidden blood-stained tampons.
As a result, the couple requested the Marion County Probate Court to officially change Natalia’s age to 22. After that, the family moved to Canada, leaving Natalia behind.
After more than a month of living independently, Natalia met a neighbor, Cynthia Mans, who offered her to move in with her, her husband, and their ten children. In 2023, 10 years later, the couple officially adopted Natalia… but her life wasn’t all happiness.
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Why did Natalia Grace leave the Mans family?
Natalia adopted the religious life of the Mans and took care of her ten siblings while living with them. However, during this time, she was reportedly subjected to physical abuse by the family, prompting her to flee.
Where is Natalia Grace now?
After leaving the Mans in 2023, Natalia moved in with Nicole and Vincent DePaul, a couple with dwarfism who had tried to adopt her in 2009. She currently lives with them.
How old was Natalia Grace when she was with the Barnetts?
After being accused by the Barnetts of pretending her age and posing as a child, a DNA test conducted by the medical laboratory TruDiagnostic confirmed that Natalia was approximately 22 years old when she underwent it, meaning she was around 9 years old when adopted by the couple.
Where to watch Good American Family?
The series starring Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, and Imogen Faith Reid is available on the streaming platform Disney+.
What is spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita?
According to KidsHealth, **spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita** is a type of skeletal dysplasia. Skeletal dysplasias are conditions that cause problems in the growth of cartilage and bones. This condition can cause hearing and vision problems.
Symptoms of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita
Some of the main signs and symptoms of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita include the following:
- Wide forehead and widely spaced eyes
- Rounded face with a flat nose and small chin
- Cleft palate
- Tracheomalacia (weakness and floppiness in the trachea)
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Hip problems
- Flat feet
- Bowed legs
- Curved spine
- Neck bone instability
- Vision problems
- Retinal detachment
- Cataracts
- Frequent ear infections
- Hearing loss
What are the causes of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita?
According to KidsHealth, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita is a condition caused by a genetic mutation. This genetic change leads to a problem in the growth cartilage of the bones, resulting in abnormal bone shape and growth. Additionally, the affected gene is related to the eyeball, which may cause visual difficulties.
