A 14-year-old teenage girl was reportedly confined to her bedroom and deprived of food for a period of at least two years while her severely overweight family members observed her through a webcam.
Authorities initially mistook the emaciated girl for a child aged between six and eight years old, as she weighed only 2.5 stone when discovered at her residence in Wisconsin. She disclosed that she had not stepped outside since she was around ten or twelve years old, prompting medical professionals to resort to feeding her through a tube until she could eat independently due to her extreme malnutrition.
Four individuals, including her father Walter Goodman, 47, who contacted emergency services, have been arrested on multiple charges of persistent child neglect. Also taken into custody were Melissa Goodman, 50, the girl’s stepmother, her 29-year-old daughter Savanna LeFever, and LeFever’s partner, Kayla Stemler, 27, all living at the same residence as the victim.
Records obtained by the Daily Mirror indicate that the young girl moved in with her father, stepmother, and step-siblings in 2020 after her mother’s incarceration. Her interactions with Melissa date back to 2019 when she lived with her grandmother, with minimal contact with her father during her upbringing.
Allegations suggest that the girl had restricted access to food, water, and restroom facilities, being confined to a locked bedroom where she slept on the floor. Prosecutors claim that the adults in the household either silenced her or limited her speech. Walter mentioned monitoring her via webcam due to a history of self-harm and implementing a door alarm.
According to statements in the document, an acquaintance of Walter heard him say that if the girl misbehaved, he would withhold food from her and acknowledged confining her to her room under surveillance. During a distress call to emergency services on August 21, Walter alleged that the girl, supposedly autistic (disputed by a former teacher), had been vomiting and exhibiting lethargy.
Upon examination, officials described the girl as severely malnourished and underweight, with prominent bones making her appear much younger than her actual age. Text messages revealed derogatory references to the girl by Melissa and Savanna, including discussions about inflicting physical harm on her.
Goodman defended his daughter’s condition by attributing it to autism, claiming he fed her multiple times daily despite evidence to the contrary. Neighbors, like Pam Medina, expressed shock upon the girl’s discovery, unaware of her presence in the household despite frequent food deliveries.
Medical evaluations confirmed the girl’s severe malnutrition and multiple organ dysfunctions, necessitating intensive care. Fortunately, she is now stable and recuperating with relatives, showing signs of improvement in her physical health and emotional well-being.
A GoFundMe campaign established to aid her recovery reports significant progress, including growth in height and body weight, reflecting her resilience and optimistic outlook. The journey to recovery involves not just physical rehabilitation but also relearning self-care practices denied to her for an extended period.
All four accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court in the near future.