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Horror in the US: Stepmother abused 14-year-old autistic daughter for years
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Horror in the US: Stepmother abused 14-year-old autistic daughter for years

From Ta Nea · (1h ago) Greek Critical tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A 52-year-old stepmother in Wisconsin is accused of severely neglecting and abusing her 14-year-old autistic stepdaughter, Savanna.
  • The girl was found weighing only 35 kilograms (77 pounds) and suffering from multiple organ dysfunction and respiratory failure.
  • The stepmother faces charges including years of neglect causing great bodily harm, psychological abuse, and confinement, with a potential sentence of up to 46 years.

The shocking case of 52-year-old stepmother Melessa Goodman from Wisconsin has sent waves of horror and revulsion across America, exposing a disturbing level of cruelty and neglect.

Η υπόθεση της Μιλέσα Γκούντμαν, της 52χρονης μητριάς από το Ουισκόνσιν, έχει προκαλέσει σοκ και αποτροπιασμό σε ολόκληρη την Αμερική.

— Ta NeaIntroducing the case and its impact in America.

Goodman stands accused of subjecting her 14-year-old autistic stepdaughter, Savanna, to years of horrific abuse and deprivation, leading to a state of extreme emaciation. When discovered, Savanna weighed a mere 35 kilograms, a testament to the prolonged suffering she endured. The investigation revealed that the teenager was kept isolated in a mobile home from 2020 until August 2025, confined to a room without a mattress, denied food and water, and forbidden from leaving.

Η γυναίκα κατηγορείται ότι κακοποίησε τη θετή της κόρη, τη 14χρονη Σαβάνα Γκούντμαν, οδηγώντας την σε σοβαρή σωματική εξάντληση, καθώς όταν εντοπίστηκε ζύγιζε μόλις 35 κιλά.

— Ta NeaDetailing the accusations against the stepmother and the victim's condition.

Authorities were alerted when Savanna's father, Walter Goodman, reported her critical condition, stating she could not stand. Upon arrival, police were stunned to find a girl who appeared to be only six years old, suffering from multiple organ dysfunction, respiratory failure, and pancreatitis. Doctors at the hospital were aghast at her extreme weakness, confirming severe injuries resulting from long-term abuse and neglect.

Η έφηβη, που είναι αυτιστική, φέρεται να υπήρξε θύμα μακροχρόνιου εκφοβισμού και κακομεταχείρισης από τη μητριά της και τον σύζυγό της, Γουόλτερ Γκούντμαν.

— Ta NeaDescribing the victim as autistic and a victim of long-term abuse by her stepmother and father.

Melessa Goodman faces a potential sentence of up to 46 years if convicted on all charges, which include years of neglect causing great bodily harm, psychological abuse, and unlawful confinement. Her stepdaughter, Kayla Stebler, is also implicated in the abuse. Goodman's history of similar incidents adds a grim layer to this already appalling case, with her court appearance scheduled for July 1st.

Η Μιλέσα Γκούντμαν, η οποία αντιμετωπίζει κατηγορίες για χρόνια παραμέληση και ψυχολογική κακοποίηση, κινδυνεύει με ποινή φυλάκισης έως και 46 ετών, εφόσον κριθεί ένοχη για όλες τις κατηγορίες.

— Ta NeaOutlining the charges and potential sentence for Melessa Goodman.
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Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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