Following an emergency call, police officers stumbled upon a 14-year-old girl in such a severely malnourished state that they mistook her for a child aged six to eight years. The grim reality of her condition gradually unfolded.
The teenager, unnamed, resided in a trailer with her family and was discovered to be drastically malnourished after her father, Walter Goodman, alerted emergency services on August 21. He reported his daughter being in a comatose state, vomiting, and alarmingly underweight.
Upon examination, hospital personnel found the girl to be hypothermic, afflicted with acute hepatitis, pancreatitis, multiple organ failures, as well as bearing bruises and pressure sores. She weighed a mere 38 pounds, significantly below the typical weight range of 84 to 160 pounds for girls her age as per Children’s Wisconsin guidelines.
Goodman, aged 47, his wife Melissa Goodman, aged 50, their daughter Savanna LeFever, aged 29, and LeFever’s partner, Kayla Stemler, aged 27, have all been apprehended on numerous felony charges of prolonged child neglect, following extensive investigations into years of neglect.
The unnamed girl reportedly endured severe neglect in various forms including nutrition, emotional well-being, medical care, physical care, and psychological nurturing over a distressing five-year period at her Wisconsin residence. Legal documents suggest the abuse commenced when she was just nine years old, depicting a harrowing narrative.
Confined in a locked bedroom where she had to sleep on a bare floor, the household adults limited her speech and access to basic necessities like food, water, and bathroom facilities.
Goodman purportedly claimed that his daughter, who he said had autism, refused to eat or sleep, despite his alleged provision of multiple meals daily. However, nurses at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay reported the girl eagerly listing food options during her stay.
Digital evidence unveiled alarming threats allegedly made by Goodman in text messages concerning his daughter, including withholding food as punishment and expressing wishes to harm her. Moreover, Melissa Goodman, LeFever, and Stemler reportedly discussed physically assaulting the child in their communications.
The victim disclosed to medical staff that her father disapproved of her eating much and would be angered if she did. She had not attended school or engaged in outdoor activities for years.
Authorities confirmed the victim’s current stability and recovery under the care of other relatives. Outagamie County Assistant District Attorney Julie DuQuaine remarked on the girl’s progress, emphasizing her previous emaciated state and recent improvement in health.
Despite initial concerns about her survival, a GoFundMe initiative supporting her recovery indicates significant progress, with the victim reportedly showing growth and positive development. The fundraiser highlights her resilience and gradual recovery process, buoyed by familial support and care.
Legal proceedings saw Walter Goodman attending a preliminary hearing, with a rescheduled date set for early 2026. Stemler also had a hearing scheduled, while LeFever and Melissa Goodman were due for court appearances the following day.
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