Girl Found in Critical Condition After Years of Alleged Confinement
Police in Wisconsin made a harrowing discovery on August 21st, finding a 14-year-old girl in a critical condition, weighing a mere 35lbs. The teenager was allegedly kept locked in her bedroom, under constant surveillance, and systematically starved for a minimum of two years by her family.
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including the girl's father, 47-year-old Walter Goodman. Also facing multiple counts of chronic neglect of a child are his wife, Melissa Goodman, 50, his daughter, Savanna LeFever, 29, and LeFever's partner, Kayla Stemler, 27. All were residing at the Green Earth Trailer Court in Oneida with the victim.
A Desperate 911 Call and a Skeletal Discovery
The ordeal came to light after Walter Goodman called emergency services, reporting that his daughter, whom he claimed was autistic, was nearly comatose and had not eaten for several days. Upon arrival, officers were confronted with a shocking scene.
The girl's bones were visibly prominent, and her appearance was that of a child aged six to eight. She was immediately transported to St Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, where medical staff diagnosed her with severe malnutrition and hypothermia.
According to a criminal complaint, the victim told hospital staff she believed the last time she had been outside the family home was when she was either ten or twelve years old. She was allegedly given limited access to a bathroom and was forced to sleep on the floor.
"Big Brother" Surveillance and Systematic Deprivation
The investigation revealed a disturbing regime of control and isolation. The girl was reportedly not permitted to speak unless it was to a camera installed in her locked bedroom, a system described in the filing as a "Big Brother" style of monitoring.
Text messages between the suspects, revealed in court documents, instructed each other to "only give her water at specific times" and that "she is not to be out of her room at all." Other messages discussed taking the girl's mattress away from her.
This systematic deprivation occurred in a household where a neighbour, Pam Medina, reported seeing "multiple grocery deliveries" arrive at the property daily. Medina expressed her horror, stating she had no idea a child lived there and would have intervened if she had known.
A Long Road to Recovery and a Complex Family Dynamic
At the hospital, the girl's condition was dire. She was suffering from pressure sores, a large bruise on her forehead, and signs of multiorgan dysfunction. She required feeding tubes until she was strong enough to eat independently.
Her recovery began to show progress by August 25th, when she started communicating with staff by writing notes. Her simple requests—"I'm hungry," "I need a snack," "Can I watch TV?"—painted a poignant picture of a childhood denied.
In a heartbreaking moment, after trying chocolate pudding, the girl reportedly said, "My dad will be so mad." When asked why, she replied, "He doesn't like when I eat this much." Upon learning she would receive three meals a day, her eyes lit up and she requested pancakes, M&Ms, and tacos, even expressing a desire for vegetables.
Despite the alleged years of abuse, the victim told police during interviews that she still had love for her family members, though she no longer wished to be locked in her room or monitored by a camera.
Julie DuQuaine, an Outagamie County assistant district attorney, confirmed the girl's improved condition, stating, "She has now since been released from the hospital and is gaining weight and doing better." The victim's grandparents also reported that she has grown and is "doing well."
The arrests were made on November 10th. Walter Goodman, Savanna LeFever, and Kayla Stemler are expected to return to court in the coming weeks, while Melissa Goodman had her initial appearance on November 13th.
