Outagamie County Judge Vincent Biskupic sentenced Kayla Stemler, 28, to eight years in prison plus extended supervision on Monday for her role in the abuse of a 14-year-old girl who weighed only 35 pounds when found. Stemler was one of four adults charged in the case, which involved the severe neglect of the autistic teenager over several years.

Biskupic told Stemler that "stray animals are treated better" than the victim was, noting that despite being the least culpable of the four charged, she did nothing to intervene in the "complete madness" of the situation. The judge stated that Stemler contributed to the lifelong trauma the victim would endure. "In many ways, it’s a miracle she’s even alive," he said.

Prosecutors said the victim was locked alone in a bedroom in Oneida, Wisconsin, from 2020 to August 2025, deprived of food and water, and kept without a mattress. Her father, Walter Goodman, called 911 in August 2025 reporting his daughter was lethargic and nearly comatose. First responders initially mistook the severely emaciated girl for a 6-year-old, and prosecutors described her as "literally skin and bones." She was rushed to a hospital suffering from organ failure.

According to the criminal complaint, the girl’s eyes “lit up” when she learned she would receive three meals a day in the hospital, and she expressed fear of her father’s anger if she ate too much. Text messages from the defendants referred to the victim as "dummy" and "stupid."

Stemler was convicted of two counts of neglect of a child and false imprisonment. In addition to prison time, she was placed on extended supervision for three years and probation for two years. Walter Goodman is contesting court findings regarding his competency to stand trial, with a hearing set for October 30. Melissa Goodman, the victim's stepmother, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in July. Savanna LeFever, Melissa Goodman’s daughter, is expected to accept a plea deal.

Extended family members were reportedly told the victim was away on vacation or with other relatives to explain her absence.