A teenage girl, aged 14, was reportedly confined to her bedroom and deprived of food for at least two years while being monitored by her severely overweight family members through a webcam.
Authorities initially mistook the girl for a much younger child, estimating her age to be between six and eight years old when she was discovered in Wisconsin, weighing only 2.5 stone. She revealed that she had not been outdoors since she was around ten or twelve years old and had to be placed on a feeding tube by hospital staff due to her extreme malnourishment.
The girl’s father, Walter Goodman, aged 47, along with his wife Melissa Goodman, aged 50, their daughter Savanna LeFever, aged 29, and LeFever’s partner, Kayla Stemler, aged 27, all residing in the same property as the victim, have been arrested on multiple charges of chronic child neglect.
According to allegations detailed in legal documents, the girl moved in with her father and stepfamily in 2020 following her mother’s incarceration. She had limited access to essential resources like food, water, and bathroom facilities, and was confined in a locked room where she slept on a bare floor. The adults in the household reportedly restricted her communication and monitored her through a webcam and alarm system due to a history of self-harm.
Witnesses reported shocking messages exchanged among family members, including derogatory remarks and abusive behavior towards the girl. Medical professionals diagnosed her with severe malnutrition and multiple organ dysfunctions upon her rescue.
Fortunately, the victim is now in stable condition and recovering with relatives. A GoFundMe page has been set up to aid her rehabilitation, showcasing significant progress in her physical and emotional recovery. The accused individuals are awaiting further legal proceedings in the upcoming weeks.
