APPLETON, WI – A disturbing case of severe child neglect has emerged in Outagamie County, where a 14-year-old girl, described as weighing just 35 pounds and nearing death, is now recovering under hospital care. The child’s father, his adult daughter, and her partner face multiple charges related to the ongoing mistreatment of the nonverbal and autistic teen.
The affliction came to light on August 21 following a distressing 911 call made by the father, Walter S. Goodman. He alerted emergency services to his daughter’s grave condition, noting her lack of food intake for several days and unresponsive state. Authorities were shocked upon discovering the girl’s condition, which paramedics said resembled that of a much younger child due to her extreme malnutrition and visible bone structure.
Immediate medical attention was required, leading to her transfer from St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee. Medical experts at the facility diagnosed her with multiple life-threatening conditions, including hypothermia, a dangerously low blood sugar level, fever, and severe bedsores. The professionals warned of potential organ failure without urgent care.
The investigation revealed no medical records for the teenager for the past five years, coinciding with her mother’s imprisonment and the commencement of her living with Goodman, his daughter Savanna LeFever, and LeFever’s partner, Kayla Stemler. This period marks a stark absence of any professional health supervision or intervention until her recent hospitalization.
The trio – Goodman, LeFever, and Stemler – were charged with chronic child neglect resulting in great bodily harm and emotional damage. During their court appearance, the severity of the neglect was underscored by the prosecution, noting it as one of the most egregious cases in recent memory.
Details from the investigation indicate a harsh living environment. Goodman had installed surveillance systems and alarms in his daughter’s room under the pretext of monitoring her self-harm and insomnia. He attributed her significant weight loss and malnutrition to her erratic sleep patterns, rather than acknowledging the lack of sufficient nourishment.
Testimonies from acquaintances and a former teacher further contradicted the household’s narratives. A friend of Goodman recounted overhearing threats to withhold food as a form of punishment and expressions of intent to abandon the child. This friend alleged that his concerns were consistently ignored by Goodman. In contrast, a former teacher recalled the victim as a once healthy and active student, challenging the claims of her autism and special education needs postulated by the family.
Further allegations suggest LeFever and Stemler directly contributed to the abuse, particularly when Goodman was absent from the home. Police described the neglect as systematic, with the girl’s isolation within the home corroborated by several sources.
At a bond hearing, the judge expressed significant alarm over the charged offenses, reflecting on their disturbing nature. Currently, Goodman and Stemler are held on $150,000 cash bail each, with LeFever’s bail set at $100,000.
The next steps in the legal proceedings remain pending as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the teenager’s recovery and ensuring her ongoing safety and well-being.