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Teen Girl Found Locked Up, Starved for Years: Police

2025-11-14 Entertainment
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Law&Crime Network
Law&Crime Network
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Egregious Child Neglect Case Reveals Years of Starvation and Confinement in Wisconsin

Analyze the documented evidence, including chilling victim statements and incriminating text messages, related to a Wisconsin case involving a 14-year-old weighing only 35 pounds. You will gain insight into how prosecutors build extreme neglect charges based on patterns of abuse and circumstantial evidence.

Short Summary

  • Investigators discovered a 14-year-old girl locked in a room, weighing 35 pounds due to alleged years of starvation and confinement.
  • Incriminating evidence includes text messages detailing monitoring, deprivation of water as punishment, and fear among caregivers of getting caught.
  • A veteran prosecutor described this as the "most egregious case of child neglect" observed in her nearly 25-year career.
  • Legal analysis explains how broad felony charges like chronic neglect resulting in great bodily harm are proven, even without the victim testifying.

This segment breaks down the shocking details recovered from the criminal complaint in an Onida, Wisconsin, child neglect case. We examine the physical state of the victim, the systemic confinement methods, and the legal strategy surrounding evidence like text messages when multiple adults are charged.

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Description

A 14-year-old girl was found weighing only 35 pounds, locked inside a bedroom and on the brink of death. Prosecutors say her father, Walter Goodman, and two others—Savanna LeFever and Kayla Stemler—kept her confined for years, depriving her of food and medical care in what investigators describe as a “house of horrors.” Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber breaks down the disturbing evidence with child abuse prosecutor and law professor Marian Braccia. If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can submit a claim in 8 clicks or less without having to leave your couch. To start your claim, visit: https://forthepeople.com/LCSidebar Become a Law&Crime YouTube Member for Exclusive Perks: https://bit.ly/LCMembersOnly Subscribe to Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/LawAndCrimeNetwork Become a Sponsor of Law&Crime's Leading Shows: https://lawandcrime.com/sales/ Listen to Law&Crime's Sidebar Podcast on Apple & Spotify: Apple: https://apple.co/3wMgRgB Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3wITe7b Host: Jesse Weber: https://twitter.com/jessecordweber LAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION: Head of Social Media and YouTube Operations - Vanessa Bein Head of Sales - Sam Goldberg Senior Producer - Savannah Williamson Senior Producer - Juliana Battaglia Technical Producer - Nick McGeough Video Editing - Michael Deininger, Christina O’Shea, Jay Cruz Guest Booking - Diane Kaye & Alyssa Fisher #Wisconsin #Crime #LawAndCrime STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK: Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3y Where To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5 Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletter Read Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2Iqo Submit Tips to Law&Crime: [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries, Please Contact: [email protected] For Licensing Inquiries, Please Contact: [email protected] LAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetwork Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrime Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetwork TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrime LAW&CRIME NETWORK PODCASTS: https://lawandcrime.com/podcasts/ SUBSCRIBE TO ALL OF LAW&CRIME NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNELS: Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LawAndCrime/ BodyCam: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandcrimebodycam Trials: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandcrimetrials Investigates: https://www.youtube.com/@LawAndCrimeInvestigates Scandal: https://www.youtube.com/@scandalousnews

Top Comments (10)

@TheDarkestLines 2025-11-14

The girl weighed 35 pounds and there is not one neck visible on any of the adults. Atrocious work smh.

4.2k 111 replies
@AshleyCissé 2025-11-14

I don’t understand being 500 lbs and then turning around and starving someone.

2.9k 102 replies
@NeekieNeeksss 2025-11-14

Amazing how the people who never miss a meal are the same ones depriving their children of one ...... just sick!

1.7k 28 replies
@AlyssaTaylor9 2025-11-14

35 lbs at 14... my 3 year old son is 36 lbs. The poor thing must've been a skeleton. Throw them UNDER the jail.

1.5k 55 replies
@Solstice-Lady 2025-11-14

They obviously can't use the "we don't have money for food" defense!

875 11 replies
@Lizardldy 2025-11-15

She weighed 35lbs. An adult skeleton weighs 20lbs. Let that sink in.

697 26 replies
@cfoleyw 2025-11-14

I can’t believe she was conversational in the hospital. What a fighter.

468 2 replies
@lyndawisely1967 2025-11-16

Omg. The viciousness of starving a child, and then eating yourself into the inability to even move. I can’t even process this.

280 3 replies
@demosuit 2025-11-15

This is not "neglect"... its torture

146 1 replies
@LawAndCrime 2025-11-13

If you’re ever injured in an accident, you can check out Morgan & Morgan. You can submit a claim in 8 clicks or less without having to leave your couch. To start your claim, visit: https://forthepeople.com/LCSidebar

61 5 replies

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