Kayla Stemler appears in Outagamie County court, Dec. 2 2025. (Photo courtesy: Outagamie County court/Zoom)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Kayla Stemler was sentenced Monday eight years in prison for her role in the neglect of a teenager who was hospitalized weighing just 35 pounds.
Stemler, 28, was also placed on extended supervision for three years, and then two years on probation after she was convicted of three counts: chronic neglect of a child – consequence is great bodily harm, chronic neglect of a child – consequence is emotional damage, and false imprisonment.
Three other adults are also charged in the case:
- Walter Goodman, the victim’s father, is contesting a report finding him competent to stand trial. He returns to court Oct. 30.
- Melissa Goodman, Walter’s wife but not the teen’s mother, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- Savanna LeFever, Melissa Goodman’s daughter, is expected to enter a plea Friday.
Stemler was LeFever’s partner.
Before the sentence was issued, Stemler discussed the realizations she has had since the charges were filed, and outlined plans for what she wants to do with her life after her sentence.
“I just hope you give me a chance to be a part of society again, sooner rather than later. I hope and pray for all of the healing and recovery for M.J.G. And I hope she gets the help she needs to live a long, happy and healthy life. I’m incredibly sorry for all of the harm and suffering I caused,” Stemler said.
Judge Vincent Biskupic said the “complete madness” of the “house of horrors” reflect poorly on Stemler’s character for not stepping in to help the teen.
“You’re going to be out at some point. You’re going to be back into a community at some point. M.J.G., based on the interviews that I watched, and the information on paper, is going to, to some degree, having haunting her for the rest of her life – and you contributed to that. In many ways, it’s a miracle she’s even alive,” the judge said. “Stray animals are treated better.”
The criminal complaint says Walter called 911 in August, 2025, to report his daughter was lethargic, moaning and almost comatose. According to the criminal complaint, the first officer on scene at the Hattie Lane home said the girl looked to be only six to eight years old. Hospital employees said she weighed less than 40 pounds.
“The last time she saw a medical provider was approximately five years before this incident came to light,” Assistant District Attorney Julie DuQuaine said at a previous court hearing. “She was very, very close to death — 35 pounds at 14 years old.”
The complaint said Walter told authorities his daughter didn’t like to eat or sleep. He claimed they’d offer her meals, but she wouldn’t eat.
Hospital employees said the teen suffered from severe malnutrition. She had signs of multiorgan dysfunction, including respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis and pancreatitis, among other issues.
The criminal complaint said while the girl was hospitalized, one of the nurses explained to the victim she would get three meals a day. The nurse noted the girl’s “eyes lit up as she started listing off all the options of food she could have over the course of her hospitalization.” The girl then said her dad would be “so mad” because he doesn’t like when she eats so much.
The criminal complaint also included a litany of text messages by the defendants, calling the victim a “dummy” and “stupid.”
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