3 charged with child neglect in Outagamie County; Teen ‘close to death’ weighing 35 pounds – WLUK

Report on Severe Child Neglect Case in Outagamie County

Case Summary

An investigation into severe child neglect in the town of Oneida has resulted in charges against three adults: Walter Goodman, Savanna LeFever, and Kayla Stemler. The case centers on the extreme malnourishment and medical neglect of a 14-year-old girl, the daughter of Walter Goodman. The victim was discovered in a near-death state, weighing approximately 35 pounds. This incident represents a catastrophic failure to uphold fundamental human rights and directly contravenes multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, hunger, and justice for children.

Incident Details and Investigation

Victim’s Condition upon Discovery

In August, authorities responded to a 911 call from Walter Goodman regarding his daughter, who he reported was lethargic and nearly comatose. Upon arrival, first responders and medical personnel noted the following:

• The 14-year-old victim had the physical appearance of a six- to eight-year-old child.
• Her weight was recorded at less than 40 pounds, with court statements specifying a weight of 35 pounds.
• Medical evaluation revealed severe malnutrition and multiorgan dysfunction, including respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis, and pancreatitis.
• The Assistant District Attorney noted the victim was “very, very close to death.”

Investigation Findings

The criminal complaint outlines several key findings from the subsequent investigation:

1. The victim had not been seen by a medical provider for approximately five years prior to the incident.
2. Walter Goodman claimed his daughter, who is autistic, had an aversion to eating and sleeping.
3. While hospitalized, the victim expressed excitement about receiving regular meals but feared her father’s anger, stating “he doesn’t like when she eats so much.”
4. The household included the victim, her father (Walter Goodman), his wife (Melissa Goodman), the wife’s adult step-sister (Savanna LeFever), LeFever’s partner (Kayla Stemler), and a 15-year-old boy.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

This case is a severe violation of the principles of SDG 2, which aims to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. The victim’s condition is a direct result of the failure to meet this goal at the most basic household level.

• The victim suffered from extreme malnutrition, weighing only 35 pounds at age 14.
• Evidence suggests a deliberate withholding of food, directly opposing Target 2.1 (universal access to food) and Target 2.2 (end all forms of malnutrition).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The profound medical neglect demonstrates a complete disregard for SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• The victim was denied access to essential healthcare for five years.
• She suffered from multiple life-threatening but preventable conditions stemming from neglect.
• The case highlights a failure to protect the physical and mental well-being of a vulnerable child.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG 16 calls for an end to abuse, neglect, and all forms of violence against children. The circumstances of this case represent a failure of informal and formal protective institutions.

• The alleged actions constitute extreme child abuse and neglect, as defined under Target 16.2.
• The legal charges and court proceedings represent the response of justice institutions to hold perpetrators accountable.
• The Outagamie County Court Commissioner described the situation as a “house of horrors,” underscoring the violence inflicted upon the child.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The victim’s reported autism is a critical factor, highlighting the increased vulnerability of children with disabilities, a key concern of SDG 10.

• The case underscores the need for robust social protection systems for individuals with disabilities, who are often at higher risk of neglect and abuse.

Legal Proceedings

Charges and Judicial Response

Walter Goodman, Savanna LeFever, and Kayla Stemler have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child neglect. During a court appearance, Outagamie County Assistant District Attorney Julie DuQuaine described the case as the “most egregious” she had witnessed in her career. The Court Commissioner labeled the allegations as “incredibly disturbing.”

Bail Conditions

Cash bonds were set by the court as follows:

• Walter Goodman: $150,000
• Kayla Stemler: $150,000
• Savanna LeFever: $100,000

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the severe child neglect case in the town of Oneida connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on human well-being, health, and justice. The primary SDGs addressed are:

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This goal is directly relevant due to the extreme malnutrition suffered by the 14-year-old victim.
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article details the severe health consequences of the neglect, including the lack of medical care and the life-threatening physical condition of the child.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on the legal response to the crime, highlighting the role of law enforcement and the justice system in protecting children from abuse and neglect.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the details provided, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed:

   SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The article states the victim suffered from “severe malnutrition” and weighed only 35 pounds at 14 years old, indicating a complete failure to provide her with sufficient food. Her reaction in the hospital, where her “eyes lit up” at the prospect of regular meals, further underscores the denial of this basic need.
   • Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition. The girl’s condition is a clear case of severe wasting, a critical form of malnutrition. The article explicitly mentions “severe malnutrition” as a diagnosis from hospital employees, directly linking the situation to this target.

   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of children. Although the target specifies children under 5, the principle applies. The Assistant District Attorney stated the victim was “very, very close to death,” highlighting that the neglect had created a preventable life-threatening situation for a child.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services. The article reports, “The last time she saw a medical provider was approximately five years before this incident came to light.” This demonstrates a total lack of access to essential healthcare, leading to untreated conditions and severe health deterioration, including “multiorgan dysfunction, including respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis and pancreatitis.”

   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The severe neglect described in the article is an extreme form of child abuse and violence. The Outagamie County Court Commissioner referred to the situation as the child “living in a house of horrors,” which falls squarely under the scope of this target.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice. The entire article is a report on the justice system’s response. The arrest of “Walter Goodman, Savanna LeFever and Kayla Stemler,” the filing of “multiple counts of child neglect,” and the court proceedings described (including statements from the Assistant DA and the Court Commissioner) are all actions that demonstrate the functioning of the rule of law to provide justice for a victim of crime.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article contains specific data and descriptions that can serve as qualitative or quantitative indicators for measuring progress toward the identified targets.

   SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Indicator for Target 2.2: The article provides a direct measure of severe malnutrition or wasting. The statement that a “14-year-old girl” weighed only “35 pounds” is a specific data point that aligns with indicators measuring the prevalence of underweight and wasting in children and adolescents.

   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Indicator for Target 3.8: An indicator for access to healthcare is explicitly mentioned. The fact that the victim had not seen a “medical provider was approximately five years” is a clear measure of a lack of access to essential health services. The list of medical issues (“respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis and pancreatitis”) serves as an indicator of the consequences of this lack of care.

   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Indicator for Target 16.2: The number of reported and prosecuted cases of child abuse serves as an indicator. The article’s focus on the “child neglect charges” against three adults is a data point for an indicator tracking violence against children that is processed by the justice system.
   • Indicator for Target 16.3: The actions of the justice system itself are indicators of access to justice. The arrest of three individuals, the setting of cash bonds ($150,000 and $100,000), and the formal charges being filed are all measurable actions that indicate the justice system is responding to the crime.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.2 End all forms of malnutrition.	Prevalence of severe malnutrition/wasting (A 14-year-old weighing 35 pounds).
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.8 Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services.	Lack of access to healthcare (No visit to a medical provider in five years); Presence of severe, untreated health conditions (multiorgan dysfunction).
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.	Number of reported and prosecuted cases of child abuse (Three adults facing multiple counts of child neglect).

Source: fox11online.com