Police tape covers the porch of a town of Oneida home Nov. 11, 2025, after three adults living there were arrested in a child neglect case. PC: Fox 11 Online
ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Relatives of a 14-year-old girl who was found in her Outagamie County home weighing only 35 pounds want the community to know she is now safe and in good hands.
The victim is staying with family on her mother’s side after being released from the hospital several weeks ago.
“She’s a very vibrant little girl,” the girl’s cousin, Leslie Doxtater, said. “She will tell you exactly how she feels about all situations, and I think that’s really what’s helped her to progress as far as she has.”
Doxtater says her cousin has made significant progress in her recovery. The girl is now more than double her initial weight at 78 pounds, and has grown three inches in just a few months.
“She’s on all the things that we can do to help her thrive and do better from this point forward, and I’m just super grateful that she’s here,” Doxtater said.
In August, the girl was removed from a mobile home in Oneida. Doxtater says the home is now condemned.
The victim was living with her father, Walter Goodman, and his wife, Melissa, along with Goodman’s adult daughter, Savanna LeFever, and the daughter’s partner, Kayla Stemler. All four are charged with child neglect.
“They were responsible for a child. And so when they failed to do that, I do feel like they should be held to the standard,” said Doxtater.
According to the criminal complaint, the girl suffered from multiorgan dysfunction, including respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis and pancreatitis.
When asked if she or any other relatives on the girl’s mother’s side were aware of what was going on, Doxtater said, “No. She was actually isolated since 2020.”
“[Walter Goodman] would just tell us that she was away on a vacation with somebody else within his family. They would never, never let us see her,” Doxtater said.
Despite the alleged mistreatment, Doxtater says her younger cousin hasn’t said much about her five years of isolation.
“She’ll never, ever say anything bad, and in her mind, I don’t think it was really bad. It wasn’t negative for her,” Doxtater said.
The teen is now safe living with a family member and attending school. Eventually, she’ll move somewhere more permanent with family.
While her future is bright, the girl’s road to recovery will be a long one. Common tasks like climbing stairs and daily hygiene are a challenge.
“She wants to go and play. She wants to go and run, and we have to keep reminding her, like, ‘Just wait for your body to catch up.’ But she is getting there,” Doxtater said.
Doxtater has started a fundraiser for the teen. In just a few days, it’s garnered more than $4,000 out of its now-$6,000 goal.
Money will go toward the girl’s bedroom and home to make sure she gets everything she needs for a healthy and safe life. Money will also be used to help find homes for four dogs that once lived with the girl.
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