Four Adults, Each Weighing At Least 400 Pounds, Arrested After Starving 14-year-old Girl to 35 Pounds

ONEIDA, Wis. — Four adults have been arrested and charged in a horrifying child abuse case after authorities discovered a 14-year-old girl weighing just 35 pounds inside a trailer home in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. Prosecutors say the child’s father, stepmother, and two other adults living in the home deliberately starved the girl for years, leading to extreme malnutrition and near-death conditions.

The suspects — identified as Walter Goodman III, Savanna LeFever, and Kayla Stemler — were taken into custody this week and now face multiple felony charges, including child neglect and physical abuse of a child resulting in great bodily harm.

Shocking Discovery During Welfare Check

According to court documents, the child was rescued in August 2025 after deputies received a call to check on her welfare at her father’s home in Oneida. When first responders arrived, they were shocked to find the 14-year-old weighing only 35 pounds, roughly the size of a 6- to 8-year-old child.

Authorities immediately transported her to a hospital, where medical staff determined she was suffering from severe malnutrition and muscle wasting consistent with prolonged starvation. Doctors told investigators that if she hadn’t been removed from the home when she was, she might not have survived much longer.

Adults in the Home Each Weighed Over 400 Pounds

Adding to the disturbing nature of the case, investigators noted that each of the four adults charged weighed at least 400 pounds. This stark contrast between the child’s emaciation and the adults’ health led prosecutors to describe the situation as one of “extreme cruelty and willful neglect.”

Neighbors said they occasionally saw the girl outside but rarely heard her speak. “We just assumed she was shy,” one nearby resident told local reporters. “No one imagined what was happening inside that house.”

Court Records Reveal Details of Abuse

According to the criminal complaint, Goodman told investigators that his daughter, who is autistic and has the mental capacity of a 4- to 6-year-old, “would not eat if she didn’t want to.” However, hospital interviews with the victim painted a very different picture.

While at the hospital, nurses said the girl’s eyes lit up when she was told she would be receiving three meals a day. The complaint says she immediately began listing off foods she wanted — pancakes, tacos, and M&Ms — and expressed excitement about finally being able to eat.

But she quickly became anxious, reportedly telling nurses, “Oh, my dad is going to be so mad. He doesn’t like when I eat that much.” When asked what she meant, the girl added, “He really doesn’t like it when I get full. He also doesn’t like when I eat sweets.”

Prosecutors Call Case “One of the Worst Seen in Years”

Prosecutors in Outagamie County called the case “deeply disturbing,” saying the child endured years of calculated deprivation while her caretakers “ate regularly and thrived physically.” Investigators said the home environment showed evidence of neglect and filth, with limited food accessible to the child.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any of the other children were living in the home at the time of the rescue. The girl is now recovering in protective custody, receiving full meals, therapy, and medical attention.

Legal Proceedings Underway

All four defendants made their initial court appearances this week. Each faces multiple felony charges and remains in custody on high cash bond as the investigation continues. Additional charges may be filed as prosecutors review new evidence, including medical reports and statements from the victim.

District Attorney Melanie Fink stated, “This case reflects deliberate cruelty. A child was intentionally deprived of food, affection, and care by the very people responsible for her safety.”

Community Shock and Reaction

The Oneida community has expressed disbelief over the case. Local residents are calling for stronger oversight of child welfare cases and more frequent welfare checks on at-risk families in rural and tribal areas.

Advocates say the case highlights a broader issue of child neglect hidden behind closed doors in isolated communities, where limited social services make detection harder.

For now, the rescued teen is reportedly gaining weight and improving physically and emotionally. “She’s eating, smiling, and safe,” a hospital source said. “That’s what matters most right now.”

Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for ongoing updates on this developing case and other major crime investigations across the country.