After escaping alleged abuse from former adoptive parents Michael and Kristine Barnett, Natalia Grace Mans (née Barnett) went on to be adopted by Cynthia and Antwon Mans, as seen in Investigation Discovery’s docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. However, the end of the season teased that Natalia didn’t get her happy ending with the Manses. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace is back for season 3, exploring claims that Cynthia and Antwon allegedly financially used their adoptive daughter.
‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace’ Season 3 Claims Cynthia and Antwon Mans Stole Money
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace season 3 episode 2, which premiered on ID network on January 6, 2025, explored concerns from the Ukraine native’s third family, Vince and Nicole DePaul — whom she moved in with after leaving the Manses — about her money. It was revealed during the episode that Cynthia was listed as the payee for Natalia’s social security income, so all of her disability money was going to her adoptive mother.
Natalia had allegedly been giving her money to Antwon and Cynthia for years, even after she moved in with Nicole and Paul. Legal expert Beth Karas explained in the doc that an investigation found no other sources of income for Antwon and Cynthia, whom Natalia moved in with in Lafayette, Indiana, in 2013.
“The DePauls have taken Natalia in, but she doesn’t have any savings. She had money from Dr. Phil, from GoFundMe and other media interviews, but she gave that money to the Manses,” Beth said. “So, OK, she has her SSI benefits, right? About $800 a month. No, she doesn’t. She tells Cynthia that she can still be ‘payee’ of her SSI benefits, which, by the way, is potentially illegal.”
Nicole was upset about Cynthia getting Natalia’s benefits, asking, “How is she going to live? She needs that money to live. Now we’re supposed to pay for everything?”
Nicole also later claimed that she gave Natalia money for Christmas via a cash app but discovered that the account really belonged to Cynthia, so the money went to Natalia’s former adoptive mom instead. She expressed concern that money was possibly being “stolen” from Natalia.
Elsewhere in the episode, a man named Robert claimed that Cynthia and Antwon adopted other children for money, as well.
How Does Natalia Grace Earn Money?
Natalia, who has a form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, earns money from her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, which are about $800 per month, according to Beth. However, the maximum amount for an eligible individual is $967 per month in 2025, according to the United States Social Security website.
She may also be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is an average monthly payment of $1,537. The maximum monthly payment amount is $3,822. The amount received is based on an individual’s average indexed monthly earnings (AIME), which is calculated using the person’s lifetime earnings before they became disabled.
In January 2024, Natalia launched a GoFundMe to help her earn money following Natalia Speaks. “I recently moved out and I’m saving money to get my own house so I can have a personal place of my own,” she wrote on the page at the time. “I am doing this so I can have a fresh start in life as an adult and get past everything that happened in my life.”
Natalia also wrote that she would ”likely have to have major spine surgery and even more surgery on my legs.”
“The costs associated with these surgeries are in excess of $500,000 because the specialist does not accept my medical insurance. The first treatment I need is to have my spine corrected as if I leave it too long it could lead to paralysis and incontinence,” she added.
The Mans family has not addressed the new claims of abuse. A note at the end of episode 1 stated that they did not respond to requests for comment.
