One of the four individuals implicated in a serious child neglect case in Outagamie County is heading to trial.
Court records show that 47-year-old Walter Goodman was back in court yesterday (January 28th) for his arraignment as he faces three felony counts of Chronic Neglect of a Child, Consequence is Great Bodily Harm, and two felony counts of Chronic Neglect of a Child, Consequence is Emotional Damage.
At yesterday’s hearing, Goodman pleaded not guilty to all charges he faces and has been bound over for trial.
Goodman is the father of a 14-year-old girl who, when rescued by police in November, weighed just 35 pounds, showing extreme signs of neglect and was close to death.
However, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the victim by her cousin, she is making tremendous progress in her recovery, stating, “Since her rescue, she has made remarkable strides. In just a few months, she has grown 3 inches and doubled her body weight. Her body, which had been deprived of nourishment for far too long, is beginning to heal.”
The 47-year-old, along with his wife Melissa Goodman, her daughter Savana LeFever, and LeFever’s partner Kayla Stemler, have all been charged in the child neglect case and are making their way through the legal process in Outagamie County court.
Walter Goodman will next return to court on March 19th for a pre-trial conference.
