A Connecticut woman has been arrested for allegedly holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years, subjecting him to extreme abuse, neglect, and starvation, according to police.
Authorities say 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan kept the man locked inside their home since he was just 11 years old. When he was finally found, now 32, he was severely emaciated—standing 5-foot-9 but weighing only 68 pounds.
Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski called the case “horrifying and beyond comprehension.”
“The unimaginable suffering this young man endured for two decades is a stark reminder of the darkness that exists in our world,” he said during a press conference.
How He Was Found
The shocking discovery happened on February 17, when Waterbury firefighters responded to a house fire around 8:42 p.m. They quickly put out the flames and found two people inside—Sullivan, who had called 911, and the victim, who had to be helped out of the home due to smoke inhalation and other injuries.
Investigators soon noticed something unusual: a room with exterior locks on the door. As they started questioning the victim, the truth came out—he had been held captive in that house for 20 years.
He later told first responders he had set the fire himself, saying, “I wanted my freedom.”
That statement launched a full investigation by Waterbury police and the state attorney’s office. Authorities confirmed he had suffered years of abuse, neglect, and starvation, with little to no medical or dental care. They also found evidence that as he got older and stronger, more locks were added to keep him trapped.
What About His Parents?
The victim’s biological father passed away in January 2024. According to police, he had been wheelchair-bound due to a medical condition. His biological mother has not been involved in his life since he was about two years old.
Sullivan’s attorney, however, claims she’s being wrongly accused and blames the late father instead.
“He was not locked in a room. She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food. She provided shelter,” her lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, told WTNH. “She is blown away by these allegations.”
Kaloidis insisted that the father controlled how the boy was raised, saying, “As evidence comes out, you will see she’s not the villain she’s being made out to be.”
Red Flags Over the Years
This wasn’t the first time someone had raised concerns. In 2005, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) requested a welfare check after the boy’s friends said they hadn’t seen him in a while. When police arrived, the house appeared clean, and officers spoke with the child, but at the time, nothing seemed alarming.
Later that year, the family called the police themselves, claiming school officials were harassing them by repeatedly reporting them to DCF. Authorities say there was no proof of any harassment, but they are now working with DCF to review any old records.
DCF issued a statement saying they could not locate any reports tied to the family, explaining that unsubstantiated abuse reports are typically expunged after five years.
“These horrors remind us that it takes a community—family, friends, neighbors, and professionals—to protect children from abuse and neglect,” the agency said.
The Arrest & Charges
After months of investigating, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Sullivan on Tuesday. She was taken into custody the next day and charged with:
- First-degree assault
- Second-degree kidnapping
- First-degree unlawful restraint
- Cruelty to persons
- First-degree reckless endangerment
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo called it the worst case of abuse he’s seen in his 33-year career.
“The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable,” Spagnolo said. “Our officers and the state’s attorney’s office worked tirelessly to make sure justice is served.”
Sullivan appeared in court, where her bond was set at $300,000. She is now in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections as she awaits trial.
Officials say she refused to speak with investigators and has no prior criminal history. Meanwhile, the victim is receiving medical care and dealing with significant physical and mental health issues.
