When asked about her age while on the stand, Grace had to say she was 22 years old because, legally, that was what her birth certificate said, per the Journal & Courier. From there, she described what happened when the Barnett family moved away, leaving her to fend for herself. Grace claimed she did not know how to do anything. Things like going to the store to buy food were unknown and made more difficult due to her disability.
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Grace testified that Katherine moved her to a city three counties away from where the Barnett family was living in 2013. "She took me to Lafayette to an office," Grace said.
Indiana State Police Detective Brandon Davenport testified that Michael Barnett told him this was because "Kristine said Lafayette is a white-trash town and nobody is going to care or worry about her."
While at that office, Grace "signed a lease that indicated that Michael Barnett was the payee for the rent," reported the Journal & Courier.
Grace told the court this was not what she wanted at all. "I wanted to be with the Barnetts," she said. "I wanted to live with them."
This was actually the second time she lived on her own. A year prior, she'd had an apartment in Westfield where she'd mainly lived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, and Ramen noodles, per her testimony.
After a month in Lafayette, Grace met Cynthia Mans, who decided to take her in, along with her husband Antwon and their children. Mans would teach Grace to read and write while charging her $250 monthly rent. She was taught by the Mans how to live and survive. With them, she learned about her Social Security disability benefits and a food-stamp card.
