THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE offers extraordinary access and exclusive insight into a mystery ripped straight from the headlines: Who is Natalia Barnett? Initially assumed to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare bone growth disorder that can result in skeletal abnormalities as well as issues with hearing and vision, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. However, the happy family dynamic soured when allegations against Natalia were brought by the Barnetts who alleged Natalia was an adult masquerading as a child with intent to harm their family. In 2013, Natalia was discovered living on her own which ignited an investigation that led to Michael and Kristine’s arrest and a firestorm of questions.

Courtesy of ID

Friends, family, and neighbors of The Barnetts share their memories of the day little Natalia came home with the Barnetts and the chaos that soon commenced. The Barnett family patriarch Michael opens the docuseries by explaining that life was damn near perfect when they adopted a 6-year-old Ukranian girl with dwarfism in 2011. Natalia was the missing piece to their idyllic life until the red flags began to wave. According to Michael, things get out of hand only a few months into welcoming Natalia home. Eldest son Jacob Barnett speaks to his fear and confusion at age 11 when his adopted sister hoards knives and slowly tortures him and his siblings daily. But there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

Episode 1 sets up Natalia as a mastermind and sociopath. To say it is unnerving is an understatement. Episode 2 features intriguing audio from phone calls with several Indiana State Mental Hospital staff. Enter legal expert Beth Karas and new details from witnesses that dispute many of Michael Barnett’s storytelling. Now, the audience finds themselves in a tailspin.