14-Year-Old Has Fond Holiday Memories With Ukrainian Orphan

A couple who hoped to adopt the Ukranian-born orphan Natalia is speaking out in defense of the girl they wanted as a daughter, dismissing surprising claims that she is a violent adult posing as a child. Vincent and Nicole DePaul, have a form of dwarfism similar to Natalia’s, and say they wanted to adopt the orphan in 2009, before she was taken home to Michael and Kristine Barnett, who have alleged she is older than she says and even exhibited disturbing behavior while in their home.