Connecticut Mom Allegedly Held Stepson Captive for Decades Before He Set Fire to Escape ‘Inhumane’ Conditions.
A Connecticut mother, Kimberly Sullivan, has been arrested after allegedly holding her severely emaciated stepson captive for decades under inhumane conditions. The shocking details of the abuse emerged when the victim set a fire in their home, hoping to escape a life of torment.
Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested on Wednesday, about a month after authorities discovered the disturbing situation. The blaze at the family’s house in Waterbury was set on February 17, when Sullivan’s 32-year-old stepson lit a fire in a cramped storage space. Authorities claim he had been trapped in captivity since he was about 11 years old.
Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested and charged Wednesday.
Stepson’s Escape: A Desperate Cry for Freedom
The victim’s escape came after years of starvation, abuse, and neglect. Firefighters rescued him, weighing just 68 pounds. As he received treatment for smoke inhalation and exposure to flames, the victim told authorities he intentionally set the fire to gain his freedom.
“I wanted my freedom,” he told first responders, describing how he had endured inhumane treatment for more than 20 years. According to police, he had been forced to sleep in the cramped storage space, often isolated and without adequate care.
Years of Abuse: A Horrifying Life in Captivity
Following the fire, an investigation revealed the disturbing details of the victim’s years in captivity. Police and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office uncovered that the victim had been starved, abused, and neglected over the years. He had not received any medical care or dental checkups for years, and he was subjected to severe deprivation.
Court documents revealed chilling details of his life: the victim said he had often drank from a toilet bowl because he was only allowed two cups of water a day. He also claimed he stealed food from others and even ate from the garbage during his elementary school years. These years of torment began when he was a young boy living with Sullivan, his father, and siblings.
As a teenager and adult, the victim reported being forced to use bottles and newspapers as makeshift bathroom solutions, further illustrating the inhumane conditions he endured.
Fire as a Final Act of Freedom
The victim’s desperate act of lighting the fire was calculated—he knew the risks, but it was his only way out. To start the blaze, he used hand sanitizer, printer paper, and a lighter he found in his late father’s jacket. According to the warrant, he believed the fire was his best chance to escape his nightmare.
As the flames spread, the victim fell to the ground, intending to stay there so that firefighters would be forced to rescue him. He reportedly saw this as his only way out of his situation.
Legal Repercussions: Kimberly Sullivan’s Arrest
Kimberly Sullivan has been charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, and first-degree unlawful restraint, among others. She faces serious legal consequences for allegedly subjecting the victim to decades of abuse.
However, Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, has denied the allegations. In an interview, Kaloidis called the charges “horrific” but emphasized that they were “simply allegations” made by one individual. The attorney claimed that there was no independent evidence to corroborate the victim’s claims.
Sullivan’s defense team also argued that the victim was not locked in a room and had access to food, although his health issues were acknowledged. Kaloidis suggested that Sullivan’s late husband, the victim’s biological father, was primarily responsible for his care.
Neighbors Share Their Observations
The arrest of Kimberly Sullivan and the discovery of the abuse were met with shock, even by those who lived nearby. A couple who lived next door, Zeffery Guarnera and Suzette Baker, said they rarely saw the stepson outside the house.
Guarnera recalled that his daughter once spotted a boy in a room window many years ago. “He waved at her, she waved at him,” Guarnera said. “But she didn’t think anything of it at the time.”
The couple also mentioned that they occasionally saw someone doing yard work but never suspected the man was Sullivan’s stepson. Their observations, while limited, highlight how well the family managed to keep their dark secret hidden from outsiders.
Sullivan’s Bond and the Road Ahead
Following her arrest, Kimberly Sullivan was placed on a $300,000 bond. Her lawyer has indicated that the bond will likely be posted shortly.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Sullivan maintains her innocence. Her attorney reiterated that she was “stunned” by the accusations, asserting that the claims were unsubstantiated.
A Case of Unimaginable Suffering
The case of Kimberly Sullivan and her stepson has left many in disbelief. The victim’s suffering, which lasted for over 20 years, is both heartbreaking and unimaginable. As authorities continue their investigation, the community remains stunned by the horrific conditions that were uncovered.