Additional Coverage:
- Biological mother of Connecticut man allegedly held captive by stepmom for decades speaks out (nbcnews.com)
Waterbury Man Escapes Decades of Captivity After Setting Fire
A 32-year-old Waterbury man, held captive and starved by his stepmother for over two decades, made a desperate bid for freedom by setting fire to his room. Police responded to the fire on February 17th and discovered the severely emaciated man, who recounted a horrific tale of abuse and neglect.
According to police, the victim claimed he had been locked in a small room since the age of 11 by his stepmother, 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan. He stated he started the fire because “I wanted my freedom.”
Upon his rescue, he was described as being 5-feet-9 inches tall and weighing a mere 68 pounds. He told authorities he was allowed out of the room for brief periods each day to perform chores and was given minimal food and water.
The man’s biological mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed her heartbreak and disbelief at the treatment her son endured. She had given up custody of her son as a baby and spent decades searching for him.
Last week, her sister delivered the shocking news that he had been found. The mother and the victim’s half-sister tirelessly searched online for him once he became an adult, but their efforts yielded no results.
Sullivan has been charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty, and reckless endangerment. Her attorney has denied the allegations, claiming Sullivan was merely maintaining the home after the man’s father passed away in January 2024.
The victim’s biological mother expressed her outrage and demanded that all those residing in the home be held accountable. She expressed her pride in her son’s courage and her desire to reunite with him soon. She and other family members eagerly await the chance to reconnect with the man they love and have longed to find.