On August 12, 2025, a Wisconsin woman accused of starving and isolating her 14-year-old stepdaughter entered a plea in the child neglect case that shocked people online.
Melissa Goodman recently pleaded no contest to multiple charges after an investigation alleged the autistic teen was found weighing just 35 pounds inside the family’s trailer home.
Highlights
- Melissa Goodman pleaded no contest to multiple charges of chronic neglect and false imprisonment after her 14-year-old stepdaughter was found weighing only 35 pounds.
- Investigations revealed the teen was severely malnourished.
- Goodman now faces a potential sentence of up to 46 years in prison.
The case sparked online outrage as many were horrified by the girl's alleged condition.
“35 lbs! It’s amazing she was still alive!” one person commented after details from the case resurfaced online.
Police claimed the 14-year-old girl looked like “a child half her age” when officers arrived
Image credits: Outagamie County Jail
The investigation began on August 21, 2025, when the teen’s father, Walter Goodman, called 911 and asked officers to check on his daughter.
According to court documents obtained by People, Walter told dispatchers the girl had not eaten for several days, had been vomiting for nearly a week, and was drifting in and out of consciousness.
“She’s just lying there with her eyes open, all creepy,” he reportedly told the dispatcher while explaining her condition.
Image credits: FOX NEWS
Officers found the teen severely malnourished at the trailer home in Oneida, Wisconsin.
Police further noted her collarbones, ribs, hips, and cheekbones were visible, and she appeared the size of a much younger child.
She was rushed to the hospital, weighing only 35 pounds.
Doctors discovered she had acute respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, hepatitis, pancreatitis, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and untreated diabetes.
Image credits: Outagamie County Jail
Investigators said the teen was so weak she used walls and door handles for support to walk to the bathroom.
She reportedly told hospital staff she showered weekly or monthly and was unfamiliar with deodorant.
Prosecutors further revealed that the teen was suffering from several life-threatening medical conditions
Image credits: Outagamie County Court
Just over two months after the 911 call, prosecutors charged Walter Goodman and Melissa Goodman with chronic child neglect and false imprisonment.
Investigators later uncovered disturbing evidence while searching Melissa’s phone.
Image credits: FOX NEWS
Police found photos of the teen on a bare floor in underwear and socks, after Melissa allegedly threatened to take away her bed.
Authorities also found text messages where Melissa reportedly encouraged physical punishment against the girl.
In one message, she allegedly told someone to “slap her azz again” after learning the teen had been hit with a belt.
Image credits: Facebook/Sam Goodman
Police later discovered a bolt lock with long screws inside the trailer. Investigators shared that the screws matched the holes found on the outside of the victim’s bedroom door, suggesting she may have been locked inside the room regularly.
The girl later told authorities she believed it had been between two and four years since she had last been allowed to play outside.
Prosecutors said the girl's extended family was allegedly told the girl was visiting relatives or on vacation to explain her absence.
Following the investigation, Melissa Goodman entered a plea and now faces sentencing, possibly up to 46 years in prison
Image credits: Facebook/Kayla Stemler
On May 6, Melissa entered a no-contest plea to charges of chronic neglect causing great bodily harm, chronic neglect causing emotional damage, and false imprisonment.
She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1 and could face up to 46 years if given the maximum sentence. Melissa is currently the first of four defendants in the case to enter a plea.
Image credits: FOX NEWS
Charges are still pending against Walter Goodman, Melissa’s daughter, Savanna LeFever, and Savanna’s partner, Kayla Stemler.
Walter previously told investigators that his daughter often refused to eat and claimed she had been abused while living with her biological mother before coming to stay with him.
However, prosecutors later argued that the conditions inside the trailer showed years of severe neglect and isolation.
After the details from the investigation spread online, many people reacted with anger and disbelief
Image credits: Outagamie County Court
Image credits: Outagamie County Court
“Well, clearly, stepmom was eating all the food,” one person wrote.
Another commented, “These people are absolutely disgusting, in EVERY WAY.”
“35 lbs! It’s amazing she was still alive!” another user said.
Others focused on what they believed was a larger failure by adults around the child.
Image credits: Outagamie County Court
“This is a perfect example of a broken system — poor child, enabled adults!” one comment read.
Another added, “They’re all morbidly obese, and she was starving to d*ath!! Dear God, what is happening?”
The investigation remains ongoing, as the remaining defendants await their court proceedings.
"Don't understand how people do this," wrote one netizen
