The Good American Family is an eight-episode Hulu drama series about Kristine and Michael Barnett, who adopt Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian girl with dwarfism, believing she’s a child. They later suspect she’s an adult posing as a child, leading to conflict and her abandonment. The show, starring Ellen Pompeo as Kristine and Mark Duplass as Michael, is based on the real-life Natalia Grace case.
Kristine Barnett was arrested in 2019 for abandonment and neglect, but was charged none in 2023. The show premiered on March 19, 2025, for a two-episode debut, then weekly episodes. It can be streamed on Hulu or Disney+. It cannot be found elsewhere such as Netflix.
The Real Case Behind The Good American Family
The Hulu series The Good American Family, premiered on March 19, 2025, is based on the true story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism. Born in 2003, Natalia was adopted in 2008 by Dyan and Gary Ciccone in New Hampshire, who relinquished her in 2010 citing disruptive behavior. That year, Kristine and Michael Barnett, an Indiana couple with three biological sons, adopted her, believing she was 6 or 7.
Soon, they thought she was an adult because of indicators such as pubic hair and menstruation. In 2012, they requested that an Indiana court alter her birth year to 1989, which made her legally 22. In 2013, they transferred Natalia to a Lafayette apartment, then left their sons and moved to Canada.
Natalia struggled in the inaccessible apartment, unable to reach appliances or navigate stairs. Neighbor Cynthia Mans and her husband, Antwon, took her in, formally adopting her in 2023. A 2023 DNA test confirmed Natalia was about 22, meaning she was 9 when adopted.
She later left the Mans family, alleging control, and now lives with Nicole and Vincent DePaul in New York, studying for her GED. The series, starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass, explores conflicting perspectives on Natalia’s age and behavior, drawing from The Curious Case of Natalia Grace docuseries.
What Happened to Kristine Barnett?
Kristine Barnett, the subject of the Hulu series The Good American Family, adopted Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian child with dwarfism, in 2010 with her then-husband, Michael Barnett. They thought Natalia was 6 or 7, but eventually suspected she was an adult, citing indicators such as menstruation.
In 2012, they officially altered her year of birth from 2003 to 1989, age 22. During 2013, they relocated Natalia to an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, while they migrated to Canada, leaving her by herself. This caused them legal issues.
In September 2019, Michael and Kristine were arrested on eight felony charges of neglect of a dependent for leaving Natalia behind, who they asserted was a minor. Kristine was held in Tippecanoe County Jail before being released on bail.
She refuted allegations of abuse, asserting Natalia was an adult. In March 2023, the charges against Kristine were dropped for lack of evidence, and she cannot be retried on the same case. Michael was acquitted in October 2022. Kristine currently resides in Florida, staying low-key.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now?
Natalia Grace, an American of Ukrainian descent with a rare dwarfism condition, is now residing with the DePaul family in upstate New York. She was born on September 4, 2003, and adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010, who subsequently asserted that she was an adult and abandoned her in an Indiana apartment in 2013. Natalia became a resident with Cynthia and Antwon Mans in 2014, whom she was adopted by in 2023.
She left their home in December 2023, citing control issues, and moved to the DePauls, who had tried to adopt her in 2009. As of January 2025, Natalia, now 21, is studying for her GED, learning to drive, and hopes to become a teacher. She is in a relationship with a man named Neil, met online. Natalia has faced challenges, including a diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder, but is working toward independence with the DePauls’ support.
Read more: Where Is Lee Wenham Now? Real Story Behind Netflix’s The Diamond Heist
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Hilfa, Senior Writer at Hilvaro, excels in pop culture journalism. She crafts engaging content on movies, TV, & trends, fueled by her love for storytelling & entertainment.
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