Father to Stand Trial for Alleged Starvation of Daughter

A Wisconsin father has been accused of effectively starving his 35-pound teenage daughter to death, and he is now set to go on trial, according to reports.

Walter Goodman, 47, opted to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and was ordered to stand trial on abuse charges this Monday.

Additionally, Kayla Stemler, 28, Goodman’s stepdaughter’s girlfriend, is also slated for trial. Meanwhile, Goodman’s wife Melissa, 51, and daughter Savannah LeFever, 29, are expected to plead guilty to charges of child abuse and emotional harm.

The situation came to light after Goodman and a relative called 911 in August, claiming their 14-year-old daughter had entered a “coma” due to her refusal to eat for several days. Paramedics found the girl severely emaciated and rushed her to the hospital, where she was described as “literally a skeleton, just skin and bones,” and suffered from organ failure.

Family members are understandably shaken, recounting how time seemed to stand still for the girl since they left her in her father’s unpleasant trailer five years ago. Leslie Dockstaker, her cousin and current caretaker, reflected, “When we saw her at the hospital, it was like she was in a time capsule.” It was revealed that she had been isolated since 2020.

Goodman and his family had referred to the girl as “autistic” and claimed that she was the one neglecting herself. However, investigators discovered text messages where he allegedly bragged about punishing her by denying her food, locking her in a room under surveillance, and physically abusing her.

In some messages, Goodman expressed a drastic sentiment, saying he’d leave her alone in the woods, while his stepmother coldly texted, “I wish she would just disappear.” In a response, LaFever expressed violent thoughts towards the girl.

After her hospital admission, the girl showed no reluctance towards food, often skipping meals and stating her father would be angered if she ate. Her cousin noted a remarkable improvement, saying, “She’s up to 78 pounds now, more than doubling her weight,” and that she is eager to play and run, despite needing to be cautious with her recovery.

The family is helping her adjust but acknowledges the emotional scars from the abuse. Dockstaker mentioned, “She feels guilty about what happened,” concerned that her father and family members will be jailed. They continuously reassure her, emphasizing that the adults were accountable for her care, not the other way around.