A Wisconsin woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison for her involvement in the severe neglect and imprisonment of a 14-year-old girl who was found emaciated, weighing only 35 pounds.
Kayla Stemler, 28, pleaded no contest to charges including chronic neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, chronic neglect of a child causing emotional damage, and false imprisonment. Following her prison term, Stemler will serve three years of extended supervision and two years of probation.
The case came to light on August 21, 2025, when the girl's father, Walter Goodman, called 911 reporting his daughter was lethargic and appeared to be in a comatose state. Responders found the teenager severely underweight and malnourished, with ribs, hips, and cheekbones visibly prominent. Her body temperature was 88.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed the girl with severe malnutrition and treated her for multiple serious conditions, including respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis, pancreatitis, hypothermia, and hypoglycemia. Doctors also expressed concern about potential organ failure.
Prosecutors stated that the girl had stopped attending school after her father gained custody in 2020. She was reportedly kept from making friends and confined to her bedroom without supervision. A blanket was allegedly nailed over the window, and her access to the bathroom was limited. Investigators learned she was not permitted to speak except into a surveillance camera in her room.
Text messages recovered from the adults in the home, including Stemler, allegedly detailed discussions about the girl's food intake and punishments. The girl reportedly did not know the COVID-19 pandemic had ended by 2025 due to her isolation.
During Stemler's sentencing, Judge Vince Biskupic described the case as "jaw-dropping," "stunning," and "sickening," noting that Stemler had "thousands of opportunities to intervene" over the five-year period of neglect. Stemler acknowledged leaving the home at times to stay with her own family during this period.
Stemler is the second adult sentenced in connection with the abuse. Melissa Goodman, 52, the girl's grandmother, was sentenced on July 1 to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision after pleading no contest to the same three felony charges. Judge Mitchell J Metropulos described the crimes as exceptionally serious.
Savanna Lefever, Stemler's partner and the girl's stepmother, is scheduled for a plea hearing on August 28. Walter Goodman, the girl's father, has pleaded not guilty, and his next hearing is set for October 30.
The victim has been removed from the home and is receiving support for her recovery. Relatives have described her progress as remarkable after years of isolation and severe malnutrition. She reportedly required a booster seat in stores initially and had difficulty with basic tasks like turning on a faucet due to her weakened state. The girl later communicated through notes, expressing hunger and asking for basic necessities. Upon receiving chocolate pudding, she expressed fear of her father's anger, stating, "He doesn't like when I eat this much."