Was Natalia Grace Adopted Into a Cult? Inside Claims About Antwon, Cynthia Mans and Their Church

Natalia Grace Mans (née Barnett) was adopted by Cynthia Mans and Antwon Mans after she escaped alleged abuse from her former adoptive parents, Michael Barnett and Kristine Barnett. However, the Mans family may not have been the heroes that the Ukraine native needed. Investigation Discovery’s The Curious Case of Natalia Grace season 3, called The Final Chapter, explores what allegedly happened to Natalia after she moved in with Antwon and Cynthia — whom some people have claimed are leaders of a cult.

‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace’ Season 3 Claims That Antwon and Cynthia Mans Lead a Cult

During the season 3 premiere on January 6, 2025, Michael’s attorney, Terrance Kinnard, said he believes Antwon and Cynthia are “grifters, hustlers, charlatans and con artists.” He claimed that Antwon seeks out “victims” who receive disability checks and “takes over their money” by becoming the alleged victims’ “payee.”

“Their whole financial situation is based on the government funding those people get,” Terrance added. When asked by a producer if he believed that Natalia was “part of a cult” with the Mans family, Terrance added without hesitation, “Yes, absolutely. She has been indoctrinated by Antwon and Cynthia Mans.”

Nicole DePaul, a woman who tried to adopt Natalia back in 2009 with husband Vince DePaul, also claimed that Natalia’s boyfriend, Neil, was concerned about the Ukraine native being “held hostage” by the Manses. Cynthia and Antwon allegedly isolated Natalia from the outside world, completely taking away her phone and internet access.

The cult claims resurfaced in episode 2 when a man named Robert explained that he visited the church run by the Manses and felt that it seemed “all fake.” Robert, who had Cynthia babysit his toddler son, added that the Manses were not supposed to curse or consume alcohol according to their church rules, but they did so anyway. He also claimed that they adopted children for money and alleged that Cynthia tried to get him to sign over guardianship of his son.

“Behind closed doors, they’re monsters,” Robert added.

Antwon and Cynthia have not addressed the claims made about them in the docuseries. A note at the end of episode 1 revealed that the couple did not respond to requests for comment.

Did Antwon and Cynthia Mans Start a Church?

A Pentecostal pastor’s wife appeared in episode 1, revealing that she has known Antwon and Cynthia since 2010. She described the couple as “very strict” and added that Antwon was “rough around the edges” when he and his wife first joined her church.

“Drinking, cussing. Never really had a job. The only thing they were living on was social security. Disability from the children in their home,” she continued.

The pastor’s wife explained that Antwon and Cynthia “branched off” and started their own church in 2015, and she believed it was because Antwon — who later asked those around him to refer to him as “Bishop” — wanted to be in charge. However, she also noted that the church was very small with only about 10 members.

In Touch confirmed via online records that Antwon’s church, the Living Water Apostolic Christian Center, was incorporated in 2019 and voluntarily dissolved in 2023. Natalia was made a board member of the church, although she was 16 years old at the time.

The church was “a body of Ministers brought together by God. A five-fold ministry rooted in the bible to instruct and uplift through outreach and service to others in a real and personal way, to preach the gospel and license ministers to fulfill the great commission,” according to the articles of incorporation viewed by In Touch.