After receiving an urgent call, police officers encountered a 14-year-old girl in a distressing condition of severe malnutrition, leading them to initially mistake her for being much younger. The distressing reality of her circumstances soon unfolded.
The adolescent, who resided in a trailer with her family, was discovered to be significantly malnourished after her father, Walter Goodman, alerted emergency services on August 21, reporting that his daughter was unwell and underweight.
Medical professionals later determined that the teenager was hypothermic and suffering from acute hepatitis, pancreatitis, multiple organ failures, as well as bruises and pressure sores. They found that her weight was a mere 38 pounds, well below the typical growth range for a girl her age, which is between 84 to 160 pounds according to Children’s Wisconsin guidelines.
Goodman, aged 47, his wife Melissa Goodman, aged 50, Melissa’s daughter Savanna LeFever, aged 29, and LeFever’s partner, Kayla Stemler, aged 27, have all been apprehended on charges related to severe child neglect following extensive investigations into years of neglect.
The unnamed girl allegedly endured prolonged neglect in various forms – nutritional, emotional, medical, physical, and psychological – at her residence in Wisconsin over a distressing five-year span. Charging documents indicated that the abuse began when she was just nine years old, painting a grim picture of her torment.
Confined in a locked bedroom where she was compelled to sleep on a bare floor, the household adults either prohibited her from speaking or restricted her communication. Prosecutors revealed that she had limited access to food, water, and restroom facilities.
Reports from WISN disclosed that Goodman claimed to have monitored and interacted with his daughter via a webcam in her room, with a witness recalling his statement about keeping her locked up and monitored.
Goodman asserted that his daughter’s autism prevented her from eating or sleeping properly, alleging that he fed her multiple times daily. However, nurses at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay noted the girl’s excitement and list of food options during her stay.
Disturbing texts indicated chilling threats made by Goodman concerning his daughter, including withholding food as punishment and expressing wishes to harm her. Stemler allegedly communicated with Melissa Goodman about physically assaulting the child.
Medical staff reported that the victim mentioned her father’s disapproval of her eating habits when offered meals at the hospital, fearing his anger. She had not attended school since the start of the pandemic and had been isolated indoors for an extended period.
Officials confirmed the victim’s current stability and recovery with other relatives, remarking on her significant progress in gaining weight and improving health. A GoFundMe campaign supporting her recovery highlighted her inspiring resilience and positive outlook amid adversity.
Legal proceedings involving Walter Goodman, Stemler, LeFever, and Melissa Goodman are ongoing, with court appearances and hearings scheduled to address the severe neglect and abuse allegations.