APPLETON, WI – Authorities in central Wisconsin have arrested three adults after discovering a 14-year-old girl in an extreme state of neglect, weighing just 35 pounds and facing imminent risk of organ failure, according to court documents.
The girl’s father, Walter S. Goodman, along with her adult stepsister, Savanna LeFever, and LeFever’s partner, Kayla Stemler, are facing multiple charges of chronic child neglect resulting in both significant physical harm and emotional trauma. The charges were filed after first responders were called to a home in August, where they found the teenager barely responsive and severely malnourished.
Investigators say Goodman told emergency dispatchers at the time that his daughter, who he said had autism, hadn’t eaten for several days and was showing no signs of awareness. Goodman described her lying with her eyes open, seeming unresponsive, and characterized her as significantly underweight, according to the criminal complaint.
Emergency personnel arriving at the scene quickly realized the seriousness of the girl’s state. They described her as extremely thin, her bones visibly protruding, and her stature comparable to that of a much younger child. She was first taken to a Green Bay hospital before being flown to a specialized facility for urgent care, where doctors warned she was dangerously close to death.
Medical staff documented that the girl was suffering from severe malnutrition, hypothermia, a fever, and multiple bedsores. A glucose measurement revealed a life-threateningly low blood sugar of 24. Doctors noted her injuries included a substantial bruise on her forehead, elevating concerns about both neglect and possible abuse. Physicians said she could have experienced catastrophic organ failure within days if not for medical intervention.
Police found that the girl had not received any regular medical care for at least five years, tracing the timeline to when her mother entered prison, and she began residing with her father, stepmother, and stepsister. Goodman admitted to officers that the teenager had been vomiting for almost a week but said he hadn’t sought medical treatment, chalking up her symptoms to mere “normal kid stuff.”
Authorities say Goodman took measures such as installing a bedroom camera and a door alarm to monitor the girl, claiming it was necessary because of her supposed self-harm and insomnia. He attributed his daughter’s weight loss to her sleep patterns rather than dietary deprivation. Nevertheless, when questioned by police, a friend of Goodman described troubling remarks and behavior, including Goodman allegedly threatening to withhold food and keep the teenager locked in her room. The friend reported hearing Goodman make highly disturbing statements about the girl, suggesting deep animosity.
Educators who worked with the victim in previous years painted a dramatically different picture of the child. A teacher who taught the girl in third grade recalled her as happy and sociable, and was unable to recall any special education needs or disruptive behaviors as described by Goodman.
Further interviews revealed that LeFever and Stemler often cared for the teenager when Goodman and his wife were away, but authorities allege that the neglect and abuse continued under their supervision. The details outlined by prosecutors describe chronic deprivation and emotional abuse, resulting in lasting harm for the young girl.
During a recent court appearance, a prosecutor characterized the case as one of the worst incidents of child neglect encountered in decades, noting the victim’s perilously low weight and precarious condition at the time she was found. The presiding court commissioner called the allegations “incredibly disturbing,” stating that the teen was essentially living in a “house of horrors.”
Bail was set at $150,000 for both Goodman and Stemler, with LeFever’s bond established at $100,000. All three remain in custody as the investigation continues, with court dates to be determined.