The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace

[Realitystarr]

On 6/18/2023 at 1:54 PM, Hedgehog2022 said:

If Natalia had been beatened like that she would have been either seriously hurt or even of died from her injuries. No way a child with the very serious problems she has could have survived a beating like the one Michael demonstrated...no way.

Or  getting kicked down the stairs by Jacob or Michael.   But I think they did do all that to her and much worse.

On 1/1/2024 at 7:11 PM, Annber03 said:

My main takeaway from the current episode that's airing now - so Natalia said that she has no recollection of Michael coming into the room the night of the pubic hair incident that was mentioned in the first documentary. But in that earlier documentary, he said he did come in there when his wife called. 

Which now begs the question, if he didn't actually go in there, why would he say he did? Especially given he's currently under investigation for child abuse/neglect. 

This is the weirdest, creepiest fucking case I've heard in quite some time, I swear. 

And why would she call him in to look for himself the first night they bring her home. This is something the mom might relay but there's no need to actually make him look at it.

And how are these two idiots  homeschooling their kid and has Jacob the genius in the family,  but  arent' smart enough to Google a 6 year old with pubic hair to find out that  it's possible.

[TattleTeeny]

I feel like what may be getting lost in the public opinion of Natalia and this whole story is that, even if she was/is a scammer and was an adult back then (which she was not), it is not an excuse to treat someone cruelly instead of extricating yourself from the situation. The treatment of Natalia by the Barnetts says more about them than it does about her, no matter who or how old she was.

[sskrill]

19 hours ago, Realitystarr said:

Or  getting kicked down the stairs by Jacob or Michael.   

I don't think they said who actually did that.  I assumed it was Kristine, but it could have been one of the other boys at Kristine's direction.  I didn't get the impression it was either one of them, just that they didn't want to talk about the fact that it happened at all.

[TattleTeeny]

I got the idea that someone may have made Jacob kick her. He was pretty broken up about other things he’d been made to do. But maybe, if it was him, that kicking thing was where he drew the line as far as what he could bear to talk about for the documentary. 

Edited January 17, 2024 by TattleTeeny

[hatchetgirl]

On 1/4/2024 at 8:14 PM, TattleTeeny said:

like we did with Michael. He seems like a beaten down, insecure, weak, deluded, and terrified person.

Man - this guy is acting like he does Shakespeare in the Park every year!  I cannot stand him, he not a reliable witness in any way, and his attorney had the freaking CHEAK to victimize that little girl again by pointing at her as the bad guy???  WHAT THE LITERAL FUCK!

[Scarlett45]

On 1/18/2024 at 4:56 PM, hatchetgirl said:

Man - this guy is acting like he does Shakespeare in the Park every year!  I cannot stand him, he not a reliable witness in any way, and his attorney had the freaking CHEAK to victimize that little girl again by pointing at her as the bad guy???  WHAT THE LITERAL FUCK!

Michael thinks he is auditioning for the lead in his community theatre production of Hamlet, but isn’t talented enough. His attorney should’ve kept his mouth shut about Natalia and “sexual promiscuity”. Ummmmm even if she is as an adult, that’s not a CRIME asshole. Neglecting a child or a dependent adult is a CRIME. 
 

So I finished the documentary. 
Natalia was abused and mistreated by the Barnetts- I believe Kristine was the ring leader, but Michael was in on it and in full support. I can also believe Kristine tried to traffic her, Freddie Gill had no reason to lie. 
And goodness knows who abused her in the orphanage. 

She’s 20-22 not 34. 

The Manns are religious zealots, who feel called to care for others to spread the faith. But I think Natalia was safest with them out of anyone. How unfortunate that none of the couples with dwarfism that spoke were able to adopt her.  I think her life would’ve been so much better. 
 

I can believe everyone is continuing the narrative for money. Not that I blame her- what happened to her was atrocious, if she can make a living out of sharing it then good. I can believe Natalia has a lot of psychological and emotional damage, and wouldn’t be an easy person to have a close relationship with. 

[Lovecat]

On 1/20/2024 at 9:59 PM, Scarlett45 said:

Michael thinks he is auditioning for the lead in his community theatre production of Hamlet, but isn’t talented enough.

OMG, the DRAMATICS from this guy!  Michael, you're at an 11...I need you to dial it back to about a 4.

[Kath94]

Okay, I haven't quite finished the series yet (up to S2 E4 and read this entire thread as well as the linked articles) and here's what I think caused the animosity between the Manses & Natalia.  She is now an adult, regardless of how old you believe she was when the Barnetts adopted her. The Manses took her in, took care of her, but also saw a potential source of income, whether for themselves personally or "for the ministry."  They film season 2 and prepare for season 3, thinking, "Girl, we gon' be RICH!"  And then Natalia, the adult, makes her own deal with ID or whoever produces this shitfest.  THAT'S what broke the relationship. Pretty obvious when Natalia says she can't comment "because (she) signed an agreement."  The Manses put up with a lot from Natalia as an investment in the future and she screwed them over.

I have to believe everyone is lying.  It's quite possible that Natalia was older than 6 when she was adopted by the Barnetts, but she was hardly an adult.  Aged down to help with adoption, perhaps, and precocious, sexually and otherwise, because of what she had been exposed to in orphanages & foster homes.  Probably sexually abused, and any attention for a child is good attention.  She may have tried this with Michael, Kristine saw it, further fueling her suspicions and hate.  Natalia needs some serious psychiatric care and the Barnetts need some jail time.  The ONLY reason they got off is that they had Natalia "aged up" and got that fact barred from court.

[babyhouseman]

It sounds like a finale and a spinoff comes out next month. Will drama queen dad be back?

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/watch-natalia-grace-documentary-series-streaming-online-free-1235777920/?taid=67609512a1361c00013e14d0&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

[Pi237]

12 hours ago, babyhouseman said:

It sounds like a finale and a spinoff comes out next month. Will drama queen dad be back?

 

I hope not, but I’m sure he will! Man loves to perform. I hope it’s not 80% of his fake crying about how He’s a victim, too.  

[Straycat80]

January 6th.  On the ID channel and streaming on ? I can’t remember but somewhere. 

[Barbarblacksheep]

Some updated information on where Natalia is living now. It's no longer with Antwon and Cynthia Mans.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1169251/natalia-grace-new-family-curious-case-final-chapter/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2iMXse5Eb7qtR_WapTBV7s2D5VgBrJCQ6FULbVKQeMVR8ErePQ8XdY8po_aem_epf_lTjLcB2WRUnaJ4MJkw

 

[Cobb Salad]

She’s of a legal age so I don’t get this whole running off in the middle of the night thing.  I wish her the best but there’s something not right about all of this.  Just wondering if money (like her disability checks and whatever else) is involved here and the Mans wouldn’t have liked it if she went to them to say she wants to live somewhere else.  

I’m not sure I’ll watch the series this week.  I guess it’ll depend on what else is on at that time.  

[Pi237]

Watching now, Apparently, they can get her institutionalized if she acts in a way they don’t agree with, according to the DePaul Mom. The Manses are so crafty and controlling. Not surprised, I always thought they were opportunists, at least, but wow they’re nuts. I hate when grifters use God to control people. But it always seems to work. The Dad is calling himself ‘Bishop’ now, and made his own church. Always a major red flag. 
 

Of course, Michael had to get on camera and be useless as always. 
 

how many crazy people can one poor orphan get adopted by!? 

[Pi237]

I know they altered Neil’s voice, but wow, could he sound less bored and flat? 

[Straycat80]

What a mess! Poor Natalia! She needs to get a lawyer! And what happened to UK Neil?  He was instrumental in her ‘rescue’ and then they didn’t talk about him again. 
Really did not need to see drama queen Michael again either. 
If DCFS doesn’t do something about the Mans after this documentary there is something really broken in that system. 

[bilgistic]

Not enough Michael!😤 We find him endlessly entertaining. What a crackpot.

The Manses are charlatans and crooks.

I also can't help but feel that the whole "rescue" was set up by the show. Nicole(?) acted dumbstruck that Natalia was a lot of work. Like??? She knows firsthand what most of Natalia's disability struggles are, not to mention her untold trauma. She thought it was going to be a breeze because she was a fun kid FOURTEEN YEARS AGO. OK, lady.

[Soapy Goddess]

3 hours ago, bilgistic said:

I also can't help but feel that the whole "rescue" was set up by the show. Nicole(?) acted dumbstruck that Natalia was a lot of work. Like??? She knows firsthand what most of Natalia's disability struggles are, not to mention her untold trauma. She thought it was going to be a breeze because she was a fun kid FOURTEEN YEARS AGO. OK, lady.

Agree, but I don't think Nicole thought it would be a breeze. Because Natalia is now of age, I'm sure she thought that Natalia would have her own bank accounts and the freedom to leave the Manses. If nothing else, she probably assumed that Natalia was her own payee on SSI, so I understand her surprise when she learned otherwise...because she already knew of Natalia's medical & physical needs.

[Pi237]

All these adults knowing someone is being abused by the Mans, yet not only doing Nothing to stop it- they leave their Own kids with them?!  Infuriating!

Edited January 7 by Pi237

[Straycat80]

I feel some of this, the dramatic rescue and some of Nicole’s narrative was scripted by ID. Natalia was cut off from the internet but had a pay app on her phone? Plus she was just featured in People Magazine and they said all was great with her new family and no mention of UK Neil. 
Who knows whats true or not in this circus.

[Straycat80]

Nicole was as big a victim and martyr as Michael. I’m glad all ended well with Natalia and getting on the cover of People Magazine. And I hope this is the end of her career as an ID channel subject. 
I wish they would have said if Natalia got her money and SSI money back from the Mans but they didn’t say. She did not look like she got her back surgery yet either. 
I hope she is happy and has a good life now. She’s been through enough. 

[Soapy Goddess]

3 hours ago, Straycat80 said:

Nicole was as big a victim and martyr as Michael.

Not even close! Nicole might be victim not knowing the extent of the hold the Manses had over Natalia. But a martyr? No way. More like an angel for all she did and put up with from the time she 'rescued' Natalia. 

Nicole's reasons to help Natalia were selfless. She knew what her own mother went through with bi-polar and other ailments, and she wanted to protect Natalia from that. So very happy things turned out well for both Natalia and the DePaul's.

[Straycat80]

9 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Not even close! Nicole might be victim not knowing the extent of the hold the Manses had over Natalia. But a martyr? No way. More like an angel for all she did and put up with from the time she 'rescued' Natalia. 

Nicole's reasons to help Natalia were selfless. She knew what her own mother went through with bi-polar and other ailments, and she wanted to protect Natalia from that. So very happy things turned out well for both Natalia and the DePaul's.

Ok let’s me reiterate here. I’m talking about the beginning where she was crying, cursing and complaining about what a mistake and how hard and put out she was about rescuing Natalia and how she was having second thoughts and her family was being destroyed.

yes, at the end I admired Nicole and her family for helping Natalia. 

[Pi237]

Nicole is a badass. She didn't let Antwon and Cynthia intimidate her at all. And she fought for Natalia like a Mom would& should. Imagine if Natalia had her as a Mom from the start?   She just didn't realize how difficult it would be to take on a very damaged person who was still very integrated with her abusive, grifter 'parents.'  And who was taught how to be a master manipulator herself since childhood.  

Michael stood by, and participated in, the abuse of a defenseless child, and now cries that He was a victim. You can't compare the two at all. 

Edited January 8 by Pi237

[Cobb Salad]

17 hours ago, Straycat80 said:

I wish they would have said if Natalia got her money and SSI money back from the Mans but they didn’t say. She did not look like she got her back surgery yet either. 
I hope she is happy and has a good life now. She’s been through enough. 

I watched a few minutes of the segment that started at 8 pm last night when Natalia was “escaping”.  That text message response from Cynthia asking “will I still be the payee on your checks” was interesting as well as the comments that Beth Karas (the legal expert) made about that.  For someone to just leave after being part of the family for 10+ years and ask about money right off the bat tells me that the Mans only saw Natalia as an additional money source and didn’t genuinely care about her welfare first.  If the allegations about abuse are true, I hope someone is looking into that given there’s other children in that house.  A lot of their income seems to be linked to having all of these foster children.

To not close the money part of the story in the end was sloppy.  I assume she did but who knows.  I too hope this is the end of the ID Channel shows.  

[babyhouseman]

18 hours ago, Straycat80 said:

I wish they would have said if Natalia got her money and SSI money back from the Mans but they didn’t say

Nicole said they had a lawyer. Hopefully Natalia will get her money back.

[Pi237]

14 hours ago, Cobb Salad said:

 

I too hope this is the end of the ID Channel shows.  

for Natalia? Maybe ID channel, but I think we'll always be getting updates on Natalia. It's income for her and she reminds me a bit of Gypsy. Very comfortable and astute in front of the camera, despite her protestations otherwise.  A wedding special for her and Neil wouldn't surprise me. And I'd end up watching it, so, no judgment, I'm no better. 

I wanted an investigation into the Manses. Those poor kids. I doubt it'll happen tho. Their parents left them there, no other family is coming to save them, and authorities probably figure- they're being fed, clothed, and have a roof over their heads, so not a priority. Very sad the bar is so low for what constitutes acceptable parenting.

[Cobb Salad]

1 hour ago, Pi237 said:

I wanted an investigation into the Manses. Those poor kids. I doubt it'll happen tho. Their parents left them there, no other family is coming to save them, and authorities probably figure- they're being fed, clothed, and have a roof over their heads, so not a priority. Very sad the bar is so low for what constitutes acceptable parenting.

Very likely unless there’s something very egregious going on like a death or severe malnutrition similar to a case here in NJ a number of years ago.  That doesn’t  seem to be the case here.  

[bilgistic]

This is from one of the People articles.

Quote

 

Robert Madewell, the father of a child whom Cynthia Mans once babysat in Indiana, makes startling claims. The Manses are "not the same people behind closed doors. They're monsters," he claims.

Madewell—who according to records obtained by People is a convicted felon and registered violent sex offender—says the couple cared for his son from 2019 to 2022 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

 

Bolded for emphasis because YIKES.

[Marigny]

I really hope the revelations about Natalia's SSI payments in the most recent episodes leads to a fraud investigation into the Mans. 

[Pi237]

Anyone watching the series ‘The Curious Case of…?’  First one is about Bam Margera, but more so the woman put in charge of his conservatorship vs another woman who is leading the Free Bam movement. It’s bananas.  Edited in a very sensationalistic manner. Too bad because the subject matter is interesting, and I love seeing Steve-O’s perspective, but these cuts and the doom sound effects are really hurting any credibility this ‘investigative show’ may have had. 

[Andyourlittledog2]

On 1/14/2025 at 11:36 AM, Pi237 said:

Anyone watching the series ‘The Curious Case of…?’  First one is about Bam Margera, but more so the woman put in charge of his conservatorship vs another woman who is leading the Free Bam movement. It’s bananas.  Edited in a very sensationalistic manner. Too bad because the subject matter is interesting, and I love seeing Steve-O’s perspective, but these cuts and the doom sound effects are really hurting any credibility this ‘investigative show’ may have had. 

Yeah, it's like the cat people versus the vacant-eyed ditz with virtual reality glasses. 

If you want to be taken seriously, please remove your fuzzy cat ears, BJ. The slow close ups of her putting on pink lipstick etc is also not helping her credibility. BJ is like a platypus of a woman: fuzzy cat ears and duck lips and what I would call a Barbie fashion credo. That older woman who follows her and doxes 'enemies' also wears the freaking cat ears. If I saw they wanted to 'help' me I would worry.

Then you have Lima, who is a vacant-eyed valley-girl party-girl type who is also a complete ditz. She thinks her sword matches her dress. Sure, whatever. Her virtual reality glasses are ridiculous. She thinks she can, with no training or credible authority, cure people of drug addiction and mental illness if they just legally turn their entire lives over to her. Again, a scary kind of 'help' that is coercive as it's being 'offered' in lieu of jail at people's most vulnerable moments.  And the segment about her twin sisters was just OTT creepy-stupid.

None of these people should have anything to do with 'helping' other people, ever. I wonder how many of these conservators have popped up after that Netflix 'comedy' about conservator abuse came out a couple of years ago. Set up a conservatorship business, spend other people's money like it's your own!  

Honest conservatorship is an important tool for those that need it. But when you have bad actors getting approved with little to no legal recourse for the victims it is truly frightening.

The way this series is being presented - from Natalia to Bam to whoever is next on the agenda - is kind of a farce. It's like they aren't even taking the subject matter seriously, just milking it for money and laughing their way to the bank. They find the most ridiculous people ever and have them ham it up for the cameras. It's like the Jerry Springer of documentaries, and I use the term documentary loosely. I mean, these people set Michael loose on we innocent viewers. Now it's BJ and Lima. Who is next week's narcissitic showboat going to be?