If you are a horror movie fan, you may have heard of “The Orphan.” It’s about a couple who after losing their own child, adopts a girl from an orphanage that’s out of the country. Soon after adoption, dangerous series of events start happening. The couple starts to suspect that the little girl they adopted, is NOT a little girl, but a grown adult with sociopathic behavior.
Orphan is loosely based on the REAL life orphaned child Natalia Grace. Born in Ukraine to her mom Anna Volodymyrivna. Natalia was diagnosed with a rare form of Dwarfism called Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita. At some point Natalia came to the United States where she was adopted by The Barnetts in the Spring of 2010. She had a previous adoption in the States prior to being placed with the Barnetts. During the time she was with them they made various accusations about Natalia. They accused her of trying to kill/poison them. They accused her of lying about her age. Suggesting she was much older than she claimed to be which was about eight. The couple made remarks about her possibly having a menstrual cycle, as well as adult hair growth. These people petitioned their county court to have her Ukrainian birth records to indicate a 1989 birth date which changed her age from eight to twenty-two. In July of 2013, these people moved Natalia into an apartment by herself to fend for herself; then moved their family to Canada. Eventually the Barnetts were charged with neglect of a dependent, however the husband was later found not guilty. Prosecutors for the case were able to locate Natalia’s biological mother in Ukraine. They obtained the Ukrainian hospital birth records which supported Natalia’s original September 4, 2003 birth date.
Shortly after being abandoned at the apartments, Natalia met Antwon Bishop and Cynthia Mans. After witnessing her living all by herself, they chose to take her in. The family stated that they didn’t observe any sociopathic behaviors while in their home. She even met a man online from London. All seemed well, until it wasn’t. The Man’s extreme religion forced Natalia to be cut off from the world. She started telling this guy that she needed to get out of there. She can’t take living there anymore etc. The Man’s found out she was corresponding with him. They took away her phone, as well as computer. Treating her like a prisoner even though she was a grown woman. By this time, Natalia is twenty-one years old (legally). They have taken complete advantage of her financially. Hijacked her money. Tons of accusations about physical abuse at the hands of the Man’s start to emerge. It seems as though the Man’s are not the “picture perfect” family they portray.
Natalia reaches out to another family who previously tried adopting her, but didn’t go through. This family has Dwarfism like Natalia. They have one daughter already. Natalia stayed with them a short time once before, so they know her. They love Natalia. She tells them she needs to get out as well. The guy she met online also reaches out to this family telling them how much she says she can’t stand it at their place. After some thorough planning, this family (the DuPauls) fly to where she is, and pick her up at night during church service without the Man’s knowledge. They take her to their place where they try to help her get her life back. However, Natalia switches her tune shortly after arriving saying the total opposite about her parents than what she’s been saying. She’s telling the DuPauls she loves her parents, they care about her etc. Practically singing their praises. She even tells Cynthia Mans that she can continue to be her payee when it comes to her monthly disability checks. Natalia has no money, no savings or anything. For whatever reason (sheer manipulation by the Man’s I’d guess) she has handed over all of it to them. A war between the Man’s/DuPauls ensues because the DuPaul’s are accusing the Man’s of medical neglect, as well as taking advantage of her financially. During all this Natalia says she wants to go back home to them. The DuPauls (Nicole and Vince) are at a loss. They want to help her get away, but they see that she is brainwashed by these people. After speaking with the guy she met online, she decides to stay with the DuPauls. By the sheer grace of God, Natalia finally sees the Man’s for who they really are. She starts to turn a corner mentally. The placement at Nicole and Vince’s house develops into a wonderful outcome.
This whole thing is so wild to me. It’s so sad that this child..now a woman was let down by sooooo many people who were supposed to care for her. I have been through some similar things as Natalia where I’ve been taken advantage of financially. The way she was speaking about them/defending them I recognized that pattern of behavior. That was how I was. Due to the fact I was clueless, believing what people said to me. Not just people, my mom (adoptive). Like Natalia, it took me a LONG time to find my voice. To assert myself. To know my worth. My value. Watching the documentary, I wanted to reach through my tv and help her understand what these people are doing to her. It’s been eleven years since I’ve been out of my situation. I took back control of my life!
As for the show, I HIGHLY recommend watching it. It’ll have you scratching your head. You can watch it on MAX.
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