Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born orphan, gained widespread media attention due to the controversy surrounding her age and allegations of her involvement in heinous crimes.
In 2010, an American couple, Kristine and Michael Barnett, adopted Natalia from Ukraine. They believed she was six years old at the time, but soon, doubts started to arise about her real age. The Barnetts claimed that Natalia showed signs of physical and intellectual development far beyond her alleged age, suggesting she could actually be a teenager or young adult.
As the Barnetts' suspicions grew, they sought medical evaluation for Natalia. According to their controversial claims, multiple doctors concluded that Natalia was indeed older than initially believed. The couple alleged that the adopted child engaged in manipulative and threatening behavior, including attempted harm to them and their other children.
In 2012, when Natalia would have been approximately 10 years old according to her adoption records, the Barnetts legally changed her age to 22 and left her to live on her own. Soon after, Natalia's case was taken up by the authorities and she was placed under the guardianship of the state. Several lawsuits and court battles took place regarding her age and well-being.
Natalia has since spoken out and denies any wrongdoings. In an interview with Dr. Phil, she claimed that she suffers from a rare form of dwarfism, making her appear much younger than her actual age. Natalia asserts that the Barnetts abandoned her when she needed their support the most and maintains her innocence in relation to any alleged crimes.
The Natalia Grace controversy garnered international media coverage, sparking heated debates among the public. Many people have expressed sympathy towards Natalia, believing she was unfairly treated and abandoned by her caregivers. Others remain skeptical of her claims, citing the conflicting medical evaluations and the Barnetts' allegations of aggressive behavior.
A: Natalia's current whereabouts are unknown. Some reports suggest she was moved to a group home for adults, while others claim she was able to live independently with the assistance of social services.
A: As of now, there is no information available regarding ongoing legal proceedings.
A: Public opinion remains divided. Some people believe Natalia's claims of suffering from a rare form of dwarfism and maintain her innocence, while others question the validity of her statements.
