APPLETON, WI – A 14-year-old girl is recovering after authorities say she suffered severe neglect at the hands of her father, adult stepsister, and the stepsister’s partner, who now face serious charges in Outagamie County. The teen, who weighed just 35 pounds when she was found, was described by medical personnel as near death due to malnutrition and injuries linked to prolonged mistreatment.

The case unfolded on August 21 when emergency crews responded to a 911 call from Walter S. Goodman. Goodman reportedly told dispatchers that his daughter, who is nonverbal and autistic, had not eaten for several days and appeared unresponsive. He claimed she engaged in self-harm and that her malnutrition was due to her refusal to eat.

First responders were alarmed by the girl’s extremely frail condition. Paramedics noted that her bones were clearly visible beneath her skin and that she resembled a much younger child. Her critical state prompted a rapid medical response.

She was initially taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay but was later airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee for specialized care. Clinicians reported that the teen was not only dramatically underweight but also suffering from a severely low blood sugar level, fever, hypothermia, and widespread bedsores. They warned that she was at risk for organ failure within days if she had not received intervention.

Investigators later learned from hospital staff that the victim had no documented medical visits spanning the last five years — a period coinciding with her mother’s incarceration and the start of her living arrangement with Goodman, stepsister Savanna LeFever, and LeFever’s partner Kayla Stemler.

Goodman, LeFever, and Stemler were each charged with multiple counts of chronic child neglect resulting in great bodily harm and emotional damage. During their initial court appearance, prosecutors described the case as one of the most severe examples of child neglect seen in decades.

Court documents reveal a troubling environment inside the home. Goodman reportedly installed surveillance cameras and alarms in the girl’s bedroom and defended this by saying his daughter harmed herself and suffered insomnia, sometimes staying awake for weeks. When questioned, he framed her alarming weight loss as a consequence of her sleep patterns rather than a lack of food.

A friend of Goodman’s told police about disturbing remarks he overheard, such as threats to withhold food for misbehavior and comments expressing a desire to abandon or harm the child. The friend said he confronted Goodman about the mistreatment, but his concerns were dismissed.

Interviews with a former teacher painted a different picture of the victim. The educator remembered the girl as a healthy, engaged student with no signs of autism or special education needs during her time in third grade, fueling further investigation into the household’s claims.

Authorities allege that LeFever and Stemler also abused the victim while acting as her caretakers, particularly during periods when Goodman was away attending medical appointments for another child. According to police, the neglect and mistreatment were consistent, and the girl’s isolation within the household was confirmed by multiple accounts.

During their bond hearing, a judge described the alleged offenses as “incredibly disturbing,” emphasizing the gravity of the accusations. Goodman and Stemler are being held on $150,000 cash bail each, while LeFever’s bail was set at $100,000.

No timeline has been provided for the trio’s next court appearance, and the investigation remains ongoing as officials work to ensure the victim’s continued recovery and safety.