ONEIDA, WISCONSIN — A 14-year-old girl weighing just 35 pounds—roughly the size of a preschool-aged child—was rescued from a trailer home after years of alleged starvation and abuse by her father and three other adults. All four now face serious child neglect charges in what prosecutors called one of the worst abuse cases seen in decades.
Starved, Isolated, and Punished
The disturbing case came to light on August 21, 2025, when the girl’s biological father, Walter Goodman, 47, called 911 claiming his daughter was “comatose” and had become violently ill after refusing to eat. He attributed her condition to autism.
Emergency responders arrived at the trailer in Oneida and found the girl in critical condition. She was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with severe malnutrition, multiple organ dysfunction, cardiac failure, hepatitis, and pancreatitis. Prosecutors said she appeared "skeletal" and “looked like skin and bones.”
Police uncovered extensive evidence of long-term neglect. Text messages between family members revealed a pattern of punishing the girl by withholding food. Walter Goodman had reportedly written, “If she misbehaves, I’m not going to feed her today,” and stated that she was “locked up in her bedroom with a camera on her.”
Toxic Home Life and Verbal Abuse
The girl moved in with her father in 2020 after her biological mother was incarcerated. Also living in the trailer were Walter's wife, Melissa Goodman, her adult daughter, Savanna Lefever, and Lefever's girlfriend, Kayla Stemler.
Court records showed a disturbing level of contempt toward the girl. One message from Melissa read, “Wish she’d just go away.” Lefever sent a text saying, “I just want to karate kick her dumb head,” and Stemler wrote about beating her with a belt over food portions. Melissa responded, “fine.”
Investigators said the girl was forced to stay in a bedroom without a mattress, denied basic freedoms like playing outside, and was routinely beaten and starved.
Charges Filed and Road to Recovery
All four adults were arrested and charged with multiple counts of chronic child neglect. They remain in custody under cash bail amounts ranging from $100,000 to $150,000. Prosecutors described the case as "the most egregious child neglect" seen in nearly 25 years.
Contrary to the father’s claims that she resisted food, hospital nurses reported the girl was terrified to eat because she feared punishment. Since being rescued, she has doubled her weight, grown several inches, and now lives with relatives on her mother’s side. She is attending school and recovering under proper care.
For more cases related to child abuse and family matters, check out our video here:
