Prosecutors in Outagamie County, Wisconsin say a 14-year-old girl was found weighing just 35 pounds inside a small trailer home in the village of Oneida, in what they describe as one of the most severe child neglect cases they have seen. Four adults who lived in the home – including the girl’s father and stepmother – are now facing felony child-neglect charges, while the teenager begins a long recovery under medical and family care.
Emergency Call Leads to Shocking Discovery
The case began in August, when 47-year-old Walter Goodman dialed 911 to report that his daughter was extremely weak and barely responsive. First responders arriving at the trailer expected to help a sick child, but they were stunned by how small the teen appeared. At 14 years old, she weighed roughly the same as a preschooler and could not stand on her own.
Paramedics rushed her to a local hospital, and she was later flown to a children’s hospital for intensive care. Doctors there documented severe malnutrition and a long list of complications: respiratory failure, heart dysfunction, acute liver and pancreas problems, pressure sores and dangerously low body temperature. Medical staff told investigators her condition reflected not a short-term illness, but the impact of years of inadequate food and care.
Father, Stepmother and Two Others Charged
Investigators say the teen had been living in the home with her father, his wife Melissa Goodman, Melissa’s adult daughter Savanna Lefever and Lefever’s partner Kayla Stemler. All four are now charged with multiple counts of chronic neglect of a child, including charges tied to great bodily harm and emotional damage.
According to the criminal complaint, the girl had not seen a doctor since 2020, even as she grew thinner and weaker. She was removed from in-person school during the COVID-19 pandemic and was never enrolled again. Authorities allege that she became almost invisible to the outside world, kept inside a bedroom for long stretches and watched through a camera instead of being sent to class or regular checkups.
Allegations of Isolation and Punishment
Court documents describe a disturbing pattern of control inside the home. The teen’s bedroom was sometimes locked from the outside, according to investigators, and a webcam allowed adults in other parts of the house to monitor her. When officers searched the home after the hospital visit, they say they found conditions that did not match the family’s claims that the girl was simply a picky eater.
Text messages quoted in the complaint suggest punishment for eating more than the adults thought she should. In one message, an adult described using a belt after the teen took “more than one bite at a time.” Other messages expressed frustration and a desire for the girl to “go away.” Prosecutors say those communications support their argument that the severe weight loss was the result of intentional neglect, not an unavoidable medical problem.
Claims of Autism Disputed by Doctors
When questioned by investigators, Walter Goodman reportedly said his daughter did not like to eat and resisted food because she is autistic. The criminal complaint notes, however, that hospital staff saw a very different picture once she was removed from the home environment.
Nurses told investigators that the teen showed excitement when she learned she would receive three regular meals each day and could choose among different foods. She ate willingly and steadily gained weight. One doctor stated that her progress in the hospital suggested her condition was driven by lack of nutrition and care, rather than by autism alone.
Questions Over Oversight and Homeschooling
The case has raised broader concerns in Wisconsin about children who disappear from public view when they are removed from traditional school. Officials say the teen had been reported as homeschooled, which meant there were no teachers regularly seeing her. The state does not require routine home visits or health checks for private homeschool settings.
Child welfare advocates say this case highlights how easily a vulnerable child can fall through the cracks when there is no contact with educators or doctors. Local officials have used the incident to urge neighbors, relatives and other community members to report any serious concerns about children who seem hidden or suddenly absent.
Community Shock and Home Declared Unsafe
Neighbors told local media they were shocked by the details, saying they rarely, if ever, saw the girl outside. From the street, the trailer looked worn but unremarkable. After the investigation began, officials posted a notice on the door declaring the home unsafe for human habitation, citing conditions found inside.
The case has unsettled the community in and around Oneida, where residents say the idea of a child suffering in silence just a few feet away from passing traffic is difficult to accept. Some have left flowers and notes near the property, expressing support for the teen and anger at what she allegedly endured.
Teen’s Recovery and Long Legal Road Ahead
Since leaving the hospital, the girl has been placed with relatives and is continuing treatment. A public fundraiser set up to support her recovery reports that she has already gained significant weight and grown in height. Organizers say donations are being used for medical follow-up, therapy, clothing and other basic needs after years of deprivation.
In initial court appearances, cash bail for the defendants was set in the six-figure range. They are expected to return to court in the coming months as lawyers review the large volume of medical records, police reports and digital evidence. If convicted on all counts, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
Prosecutors describe the case as a stark reminder that extreme neglect can be as life-threatening as physical violence. Child protection officials say they hope the girl’s rescue will encourage others to speak up if they suspect a child is being kept out of sight, denied food or deprived of basic care.
