URGENT UPDATE: A 14-year-old girl weighing just 2.5 stone has been rescued from a horrific situation in Wisconsin, where her family allegedly locked her in a room and starved her as punishment. Authorities confirmed the shocking details after responding to a distress call on August 21, 2023, when her father, Walter Goodman, sought medical help after the girl fell seriously ill.
Upon arrival, emergency responders found the severely malnourished teen, whose physical condition was alarming. Reports indicate her collar bone, rib cage, hip, and cheek bones were extremely prominent, leading medical professionals to describe her as looking like a child aged six to eight.
Authorities reported that Walter Goodman had been the girl’s sole guardian since May 2020. He allegedly claimed that the girl “doesn’t like to eat,” and expressed bizarre concerns about medical care, stating he stopped it due to a doctor’s behavior.
The dire situation escalated when the girl became comatose after reportedly going without food for several days. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with hepatitis, multiple organ dysfunction, and severe malnutrition. Julie DuQuaine, assistant district attorney for Outagamie County, stated, “She looked like a skeleton. She was literally just skin and bones at 35 lbs.”
In chilling revelations, documents indicate that Walter Goodman had a disturbing approach to discipline. Allegedly, he told a friend, “If she misbehaves, I’m not going to feed her.” Other family members, including Melissa Goodman, Savanna Lefever, and Layla Stemler, were implicated in the girl’s mistreatment. Messages between them suggested further abuse, including physical punishment.
Medical staff report that the girl is now on the path to recovery after being placed in the care of another family. They noted her lack of resistance to food, which indicates the extent of her previous deprivation. Walter Goodman and three others have been charged with chronic child neglect and remain in custody with a bail set at $100,000.
As this harrowing case unfolds, it raises urgent questions about child welfare and the responsibilities of guardians. The community is left in shock as the girl begins her recovery journey, and many are calling for stricter measures to protect vulnerable children.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities continue their investigation.
