Adoptive parents Michael and Kristine Barnett abandoned Ukrainian orphan Natalia in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, in a story that made headlines over a decade ago. The Barnett’s alleged she was an adult conman, but a genetic test recently confirmed Natalia is only around 22, making her about nine years old at the time the Barnett’s left her in the apartment before moving to Canada. After discovering her alone, Antwon and Cynthia Mans recognized her as a child and took her in.
In a continuation of her story in the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, Natalia opened up about the shocking turn of events that led her to flee the Manses’ Nashville home in the middle of the night with the help of her boyfriend, a man only referred to as Neil.
Who Is Natalia Grace’s Boyfriend, Neil?
From what the series tells us, Neil is a man living in the U.K. His age and occupation remain a mystery, but he managed to contact the DePaul family, who originally tried to adopt Natalia back in 2009, as well as producers of the docuseries, to try to help his girlfriend wrest free of the Manses’ alleged control. He only appears in the series with his face concealed.
How Did Natalia Grace and Neil Meet?
The two began communicating via social media at some point when Natalia was living with the Manses. “At first it was just like a small message and then I grew feelings and he grew feelings,” Natalia said of her budding relationship with Neil. “I just opened up my heart. It felt really good.”
As Neil got to know Natalia and learn more about her situation, including how reportedly restrictive and tense the Manses’ household had become for her over the past few years, he decided he would try to help her escape.
Natalia’s father, Antwon, caught wind that something was up with his adoptive daughter, saying “Something ain’t right with Natalia,” in the docuseries. “She’s got this dude online. He turned her against us. She’s ready to go to hell with gasoline panties on.”
How Did Neil Help Natalia Escape?
Neil helped coordinate the details of Natalia’s dramatic escape with the DePauls throughout November and December 2023.
“At first, I was like, ‘I don’t know who you are,’ and I just thought it was just some person, and so I ignored Neil,” Nicole DePaul told People. “He finally sent me some proof that he was really him — then I believed that I was talking to an actual person that knew Natalia.”
Neil even told the DePauls and the docuseries producers he felt Natalia was in danger by staying in the home. “It was probably a month of communicating with him daily and he was communicating with her — then I knew we had to do something,” Nicole said.
The DePauls drove from New York down to Tennessee to pick Natalia up just a few days before Christmas. “Hey babe, I’m so, so thankful you found me,” Natalia is heard telling Neil on the phone following the drama. “I love you so much.”
The Manses have stayed quiet since the docuseries aired and have not responded to a request for comment on the new allegations.
