Wisconsin Woman Convicted in Severe Starvation and Confinement Case of Teenager

Melissa Goodman, a 52-year-old Wisconsin woman, entered a no-contest plea on May 6 to charges of false imprisonment and chronic child neglect. The conviction stems from a harrowing August 2025 discovery in Appleton, where authorities found a 14-year-old girl weighing only 35 pounds. Responding officers initially mistook the victim for a child as young as six due to her extreme physical deterioration. Medical evaluations revealed the teenager suffered from multiple life-threatening conditions, including respiratory failure, acute hepatitis, and severe malnutrition, resulting from years of isolation and medical neglect within the home.

The investigation uncovered a systematic pattern of abuse where the victim was frequently locked in her bedroom and monitored via camera. Alongside Goodman, three other adults—the girl's father, Walter Goodman, and two others—face pending charges related to the abuse. While the legal proceedings against the remaining defendants continue, the victim has shown significant signs of recovery since her rescue. Family members report that she has doubled her body weight and is regaining physical independence through therapy. Melissa Goodman is scheduled for sentencing on July 1 and faces a potential maximum prison term of 46 years for her role in the case.