Father and Three Others Arrested After 14-Year-Old Girl Found Severely Malnourished

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, Wis. – Authorities in Wisconsin have arrested four individuals following the discovery of a severely underweight 14-year-old girl, officials say.

The teen, who weighed just 35 pounds, was removed from her father’s home in Oneida in August and taken to a hospital for urgent medical care.

Walter Goodman III, the girl’s father, is facing charges of chronic child neglect causing significant physical and emotional harm. Also in custody are Goodman’s wife, Melissa Goodman, and the girl’s adult stepsister, Savanna LeFever, among others, police said.

The investigation began after Walter Goodman called 911 on August 21, reporting that his daughter was critically ill and had not been eating. He described her as lethargic, moaning, and breathing abnormally. He also mentioned her struggles with self-harming behavior and autism.

First responders arriving at the home noted that the teen appeared much smaller than her age, comparable in size to a child of 6 to 8 years old. Medical staff at St. Vincent Hospital confirmed she weighed just 35 pounds, and also found a large bruise on her forehead, low blood sugar, hypothermia, and pressure sores. She was intubated and airlifted to Children’s Wisconsin.

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.

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During the investigation, Goodman reportedly admitted he had only given his daughter a soda to address her low blood sugar. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with severe malnutrition and multiorgan dysfunction.

Goodman claimed his daughter has been sick for four to five days and would refuse food when offered. Goodman allegedly stated that his daughter last went to the doctor in a year and a half earlier, but a nurse said the girl had no medical records dating back the past five years.

According to court records, the girl lived in a trailer with her father, stepmother, adult stepsister and her partner, as well as a teen stepbrother. Goodman claimed his daughter’s autism gave her the cognitive ability of a 4- to 6-year-old, and said she refused food at times and engaged in self-harm by picking at her skin. He also said she had difficulty sleeping and often exhausted herself.

Authorities say criminal charges are pending against all four individuals as the investigation continues.