BREAKING: A 14-year-old girl, weighing only 2.5 stone (35 lbs), has been rescued from a horrific situation in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, where her family allegedly locked her in a room and starved her as punishment. This alarming case has drawn widespread attention following reports of abuse and neglect.
Authorities confirmed that the girl was found severely malnourished and underweight, with her collar bone, rib cage, and hip bones prominently visible. Upon examination by medical professionals, her condition was described as critical, showing signs of hepatitis and multiple organ dysfunction. Emergency services were alerted on August 21 after her biological father, Walter Goodman, 47, sought help when she fell comatose, having reportedly gone without food for days.
According to documents reviewed by The Mirror, Walter Goodman claimed that his daughter “doesn’t like to eat” and stopped seeking medical care because he found one doctor “weird.” He has had sole custody of the girl since May 2020 and allegedly told friends, “If she misbehaves, I’m not going to feed her.”
The situation escalated to a point where the girl was confined without a mattress and deprived of food and water. In shocking details, messages between family members revealed further mistreatment. One family member, Layla Stemler, reportedly stated, “I used the belt” when the girl took too much food, highlighting the disturbing environment in which she lived.
Assistant district attorney Julie DuQuaine described the girl’s condition as alarming, stating, “She looked like a skeleton. She was literally just skin and bones.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the average weight for a 14-year-old girl in the U.S. is approximately 9 stone, making the girl’s condition even more critical.
All four adults involved, including Melissa Goodman, 51, and two others, have been charged with chronic child neglect. They are currently held on a $100,000 cash bail. The girl has since been removed from the home and is now on the path to recovery, receiving the care she desperately needs.
This harrowing case underscores the urgent issue of child abuse and highlights the necessity for vigilant oversight by authorities. As developments unfold, the community and advocates are calling for increased protections for vulnerable children.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as we continue to follow the situation closely.
