5 key details about the Natalia Grace case ahead of The Road to Natalia Speaks on ID 

The case of Natalia Grace has captivated audiences and raised numerous questions about identity, care, and the complexities of adoption. Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett in October 2010.

However, the relationship quickly deteriorated as the Barnetts alleged that Natalia was an adult posing as a child. This resulted in a series of shocking accusations, legal battles, and, finally, a documentary series that delved into the truth behind these claims.

The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Road to Natalia Speaks is a spin-off of the true case filmed in a documentary series on Investigation Discovery. The series will premiere on January 1, 2024, airing nightly from 9 pm to 11 pm ET/PT across three consecutive nights on Investigation Discovery (ID). This new edition delves deeper into the life of Natalia Grace Barnett.

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Five key details surrounding Natalia Grace's case

1) Allegations of age manipulation

The Barnetts alleged that Natalia was not the child they thought they adopted. They alleged that she was an adult who had manipulated her age documentation. In 2012, they legally changed her birth year from 2003 to 1989, suggesting she was 22 years old at the time of the adoption.

Based on her appearance and actions, Michael Barnett believed Natalia was 33, not 13. The huge change in age opened my eyes and led to an intense legal battle that lasted for many years.

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2) Abuse and neglect allegations

Natalia has made severe allegations against her adoptive parents. She has documented numerous incidents of abuse while staying with them. She alleged she was physically assaulted by Kristine Barnett, including being thrashed with a belt as she refused to lie about her age.

Natalia also claimed that Kristine made her wear make-up when little to be seen as grown-up and prepared her for situations deemed inappropriate for a minor. These tell a gruesome story of neglect and mistreatment.

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3) Moving on to independence

In 2013, three years after she started living with the Barnetts, Natalia was discovered living in an apartment alone when they left for Canada with the rest of their children.

This happened just a few months after the Barnetts filed for a court-ordered age change. Her situation raised major red flags about her well-being, and the authorities opened an investigation into the Barnetts' activities.

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4) Mental health hospitalization

Natalia Grace's stay with the Barnetts involved several distressing episodes that led to her commitment to a psychiatric ward. The Barnetts accused her of threatening to kill them several times and trying to poison Kristine's coffee.

After some assessments found her not mentally ill, she was released but was sent to a halfway house for substance users. This only complicated the story about her mental condition and health.

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5) Continued legal battles

This case has also seen much legal fallout. In September 2019, Michael and Kristine Barnett were charged with neglecting a dependent for not caring for Natalia appropriately.

Michael was acquitted in February 2022, but this case raised a lot of questions about the child welfare laws and responsibilities of adoptive parents. More facts keep emerging in the case, which has already seen the involvement of multiple media channels.

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The Natalia Grace case is a complex story of abuse allegations, legal manipulation, and identity questions. As The Road to Natalia Speaks is about to be released on Investigation Discovery, viewers will gain a deeper insight into Natalia's experiences and the truth behind the allegations made against her by the Barnetts.