In a disturbing incident, a 14-year-old girl weighing only 2.5 stone was rescued from a house where her overweight family members allegedly kept her captive, withholding food as punishment. When authorities arrived, they discovered the severely malnourished girl, noting her extremely underweight condition with prominent bones resembling a much younger child’s physique.
The girl’s biological father, Walter Goodman, 47, claimed she was autistic and under his sole care since May 2020. Wisconsin officials were alerted when the girl fell critically ill and was found without food for days, leading to a diagnosis of hepatitis, multiple organ dysfunction, and severe malnutrition upon hospitalization.
Reports revealed shocking statements from Walter, including neglectful behavior like locking the girl in her room without basic necessities and withholding food as a disciplinary measure. Further evidence from text messages among family members hinted at additional instances of abuse, with alarming tactics such as using a belt for discipline.
Fortunately, the girl has been removed from the harmful environment and placed in the care of another family, showing signs of recovery. Meanwhile, all four adults involved have been arrested and charged with chronic child neglect, currently held in custody on a $100,000 bail each.