A shocking case of abuse and captivity has come to light in Waterbury, Connecticut, where a 56-year-old Woman Arrested for Holding Stepson Captive for 20 years. The disturbing revelation came after authorities discovered the malnourished man during a house fire, leading to the arrest of Kimberly Sullivan.
Holding stepson captive for 20 years, Sullivan allegedly subjected him to inhumane conditions, keeping him locked in a room with limited food and water, and only allowing him outside for a minute a day. The case has left the local community and law enforcement stunned by the severity of the alleged abuse.
Discovery and Arrest of Kimberly Sullivan
On February 17, Waterbury police and firefighters responded to a house fire where they discovered a severely malnourished man, identified as the stepson of Kimberly Sullivan.
The 32-year-old man, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing just 68 pounds, was found in a dire state. According to authorities, he had deliberately set the fire in an attempt to escape his captivity, using a lighter, hand sanitizer, and paper.
“I wanted my freedom,” he told the police, according to an affidavit reviewed by NBC.
Investigators learned that the victim had allegedly been held captive since he was 11 years old, enduring years of neglect and confinement.
Following the discovery, Kimberly Sullivan was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
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Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the conditions in which the man was found as worse than a jail cell. The room was reportedly locked from the outside using multiple types of locks, which increased in security over time.
The man had been forced to urinate into a bottle and use straws to dispose of waste through a small hole in the window frame. These horrifying details painted a grim picture of the suffering he endured for two decades.
A Life of Captivity and Neglect
The victim recounted a childhood filled with neglect and increasing restrictions. He told police that he remembers being locked in his bedroom as early as three years old. Initially, he would sneak out at night to find food and drink from the toilet when he was not provided with enough water.
However, when food wrappers were discovered in his room, the level of confinement escalated, and he was locked inside for extended periods. His prolonged absences from school raised concerns, prompting the Connecticut Department of Children and Families to conduct wellness checks when he was in the fourth grade.
However, he claimed that his stepmother coerced him into lying about his situation, assuring authorities that he was safe and well. These missed opportunities to intervene allowed the abuse to continue unchecked for years.
After his father’s death in 2024, his living conditions deteriorated even further. He told investigators that he was confined to his room for 22 to 24 hours a day, only allowed outside briefly to let the family dog out. The isolation, combined with the lack of nutrition and medical care, left him in a fragile state, both physically and mentally.
Despite enduring such horrific treatment, the man never gave up hope. His desperate act of setting the fire was his final attempt at securing freedom after decades of confinement. This act ultimately led to his rescue and the exposure of his ordeal.
Legal Proceedings and Denial of Allegations
Kimberly Sullivan is currently being held on a $300,000 bond. While the accusations against her are severe and supported by distressing details, her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, has denied all claims.
“She completely maintains her innocence. From our perspective, these allegations are not true. They are outlandish. She was blown away when she heard these allegations,” Kaloidis stated.
Sullivan’s legal team insists that she will be vindicated in court and that the accusations against her are unfounded. However, the evidence presented by law enforcement paints a harrowing picture of long-term abuse and confinement.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, gathering further evidence and statements to build their case against Kimberly Sullivan. Meanwhile, the victim is receiving medical attention and psychological support to help him recover from the trauma he endured for the majority of his life.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions on the importance of child welfare checks and intervention systems. Many are questioning how such severe abuse could go unnoticed for two decades and whether more stringent measures should be implemented to prevent similar cases in the future.
As the legal process unfolds, the story of this man’s survival against unimaginable odds serves as a stark reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse.