In a horrific and heartbreaking case, a Connecticut woman has been charged with holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years, subjecting him to starvation, severe neglect, and unimaginable abuse. The shocking revelation came after the victim, now 32 years old, set fire to his room in a desperate attempt to escape, telling authorities, “I wanted my freedom.”
Shocking Discovery Amid House Fire
On February 17, the Waterbury Police Department and Fire Department responded to a house fire on Blake Street at 8:42 p.m. Inside, they found 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, the homeowner who called for help, and a severely emaciated man—later identified as her stepson.
Sullivan was safely evacuated, but the victim, suffering from smoke inhalation and years of severe neglect, needed immediate medical attention. However, what unfolded next stunned investigators.
A Life of Captivity and Neglect
While receiving medical care, the victim revealed his horrifying ordeal—he had been held captive in the house since he was 11 years old, subjected to inhumane treatment, isolation, and malnourishment.
Police confirmed that for two decades, he had been deprived of proper food, water, and medical care, resulting in his frail, emaciated condition. Authorities described his suffering as “both heartbreaking and unimaginable.”
Justice for the Victim
Following a thorough investigation, Sullivan was arrested on March 12 and charged with:
- First-degree assault
- Second-degree kidnapping
- Unlawful restraint
- Cruelty to persons
- Reckless endangerment
Her bond was set at $300,000, and she remains in custody awaiting trial.
This tragic case of prolonged abuse has sparked nationwide outrage. As the investigation continues, questions remain about how such a horrific crime went unnoticed for over 20 years.
