Natalia Grace is a girl from Ukraine who was adopted by the Barnett family. Her story got a lot of attention after a very public and controversial court case. A lot has been written about the Barnetts and what they say about Natalia but not as much has been written about her family history. Anna Gava—Natalia’s birth mother—had a big part in her turbulent life that hasn’t been fully explored.
In this article, we will explore the story of Anna Gava—her decision to give up Natalia for adoption and the emotional journey that followed.
Before Natalia was born, Anna Gava’s life
Anna Volodymyrivna Gava was born in Latvia on April 20, 1979, alongside her twin sister, Tatyana. She later moved to Ukraine, where she met her husband, Vadik. Together, they had two daughters, Yulia and Natalia. Anna’s marriage to Vadik ended, though, before Natalia was born. Anna did have her second daughter, Natalia, in 2003, even though there were problems.
The Struggles Surrounding Natalia’s Birth
From the moment Natalia was born—her life was filled with medical complications. Doctors discovered that the newborn had “complex pathology.” Natalia’s limbs were shorter than usual, and her neck was abnormally small. The doctors informed Anna that her daughter might face a life bound to a wheelchair or bed, needing multiple surgeries that could cost around $100,000—an amount Anna’s family simply could not afford.
Since Anna was going through so much, doctors told her to put Natalia in an orphanage so that she could have a better chance of finding a family that could take care of her medical needs. Anna would think about this choice for a long time.
The Decision to Give Up Natalia
Under immense pressure and with limited resources, Anna reluctantly gave up her baby girl. Natalia was placed in an orphanage, where she remained for the next five years. During this period, Anna’s heartache was palpable. She was informed that her daughter would be given a better chance at life through adoption. It was suggested to Anna that she not interfere with the process. She would never meet the adoptive parents or know what happened to Natalia, but she was shown photographs of the family who would be taking her daughter.
Anna took solace in the belief that Natalia would receive the medical treatments she needed and, hopefully, live a life much better than what she could offer in Ukraine. However, Anna’s belief in this promise would be shaken years later when she learned the disturbing details of Natalia’s life with the Barnetts.
Natalia’s Adoption by the Barnetts
In 2008, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett, an American couple from Indiana. For years, the Barnetts raised Natalia as their daughter, but everything took a sudden and alarming turn when, years later, they claimed that Natalia had misled them about her age. The Barnetts alleged that Natalia, originally believed to be around ten years old, was actually in her twenties. This claim, which seemed absurd to many, led to a series of accusations, including abuse and neglect.
The Barnetts abandoned Natalia, leaving her to live alone in an apartment while they moved to Canada. Natalia, now an adult in her own eyes, was caught in the whirlwind of these accusations, which painted her as a violent and dangerous person. It wasn’t until 2019 that Anna Gava would learn the truth about what had happened to her daughter after the Barnetts were taken to court.
How Natalia’s birth mother was found
In 2019, Anna was in Ukraine when an investigation team called to tell her that her biological daughter Natalia was in a complicated court case in the US. A DNA test was done to make sure of the link, and it showed that Anna was, in fact, Natalia’s birth mother with a 99.999% match.
Anna was devastated when she found out that her daughter had been living in such bad conditions. She had thought Natalia was in a better place for years. Anna was eager to get back in touch with her daughter after hearing the heartbreaking truth.
Anna Gava’s Desire to Reconnect with Natalia
Anna said she felt bad about giving up her daughter all those years ago in interviews and public statements. She had hoped Natalia would grow up in a family that loved her and could meet her needs. In 2019, Anna made a heartfelt plea to reunite with her daughter, despite the many years that had passed. She explained that she regretted the decision, which she had made under duress and with no other options available at the time.
Anna also dismissed the Barnetts’ claims about Natalia’s age, firmly stating that she had given birth to her daughter in 2003, confirming that Natalia was indeed much younger than the Barnetts had suggested. Her plea was filled with guilt, sorrow, and a deep longing to reunite with the child she had been forced to leave behind.
The Impact of the War in Ukraine on Anna’s Life
According to Anna, the Barnetts were wrong about Natalia’s age. She firmly stated that she had given birth to her daughter in 2003, proving that Natalia was much younger than they had said. Because she felt guilty, sad and a strong desire to be with the child she had to leave behind, she made her plea.. Despite this turmoil, Anna continued to hold onto the hope that she might someday meet Natalia.
By this time, Anna had remarried Vadik after their divorce, though he passed away in 2013. She also had three more children: Miroslav, Kira, and Deniska. She was a grandmother, as her eldest daughter, Yulia, had given birth to a child in February 2020. The quieter aspects of her life, however, were interrupted by the harsh realities of war and the difficult memories of her past.
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Natalia’s Response and Emotional Journey
Natalia hasn’t fully accepted that her birth mother wants to get back in touch with her yet. In the Investigation Discovery documentary series, Natalia talked about how she felt about the idea of seeing Anna again. She understood that her birth mother was truly sorry but she didn’t want to bring up those painful memories.
Having lived with the Barnetts for so many years, Natalia had built her life around her adoptive family, which included the parents who raised her and the siblings she grew up with. Discovering that her birth mother had given her up so early in life caused Natalia immense heartbreak. Still, she acknowledged that the possibility of a reunion remains open, although she is unsure whether she is ready to confront the emotions tied to her early childhood.
Anna’s Continued Hope for Reconciliation
Anna’s sincere apology and desire to be with her daughter again are still moving parts of the story. She hopes that Natalia will be able to forget about the years they were apart and the pain of being left behind one day. Ana feels bad about the choice she made, but she is still set on telling Natalia she loves and misses her.
In a world where family relationships can be hard and complicated, Anna’s story shows that a mother and her child will always have a strong bond, even if they are physically and emotionally apart. Getting back together with Natalia is still a dream for Anna Gava, and she hopes that one day it will come true.
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