Okay, here’s a rewritten and expanded version of the article, formatted with Markdown and aiming for clarity and readability. I’ve strived to provide a more detailed narrative and explore some of the implications.

Mother Speaks Out After Son’s Alleged 20-Year Captivity in Connecticut Home

The case of a 32-year-old Connecticut man allegedly held captive by his stepmother for two decades has taken a deeply emotional turn as his biological mother has publicly shared her anguish and past struggles surrounding her son’s life. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, is currently facing charges after her stepson was discovered in severely emaciated condition following a fire at their Waterbury home on February 17th. The man, whose name has been withheld by authorities, reportedly confessed to intentionally setting the fire as a desperate act to escape what he described as years of confinement.

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo expressed the profound shock and sorrow felt by the community, stating, "The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable." The details emerging from the case paint a harrowing picture of alleged abuse and isolation.

A Mother’s Heartbreak and Regret

In interviews with NBC Connecticut and WFSB, the man’s biological mother, identified as Tracy Vallerand, 52, of Meriden, Connecticut, shared the agonizing circumstances that led to her relinquishing custody of her son when he was a young child. She explained that "due to personal reasons, and for the full benefit of my son, I made the gut-wrenching decision to give full custody to my ex-husband. This was the most painful, emotional decision any mother can make, but I thought he would have a better life."

Vallerand’s words reveal a deep well of regret and a lingering sense of responsibility. "In retrospect, this did not come to pass," she lamented. Her statement underscores the profound impact this decision has had on her life, a decision made with the hope of providing a better future for her child, which tragically appears to have backfired in the most devastating way possible.

She further revealed that she and her family have been actively searching for her son for the past 30 years, attempting to reconnect with him, but their efforts were consistently thwarted. "For the last 30 years my family and I have searched for him to reconnect only to be turned away and shut out," she said. This detail highlights the potential for intentional obstruction by Sullivan and the man’s father, further complicating the already heartbreaking situation.

Vallerand expressed her shock and disbelief at the unfolding events, describing the situation as "shocking, disturbing and disgusting." Her focus now is on her son’s well-being and healing. "I hope and pray we can all begin to heal and helping my son to lead a full happy loving life. I know deep in my heart I have always been there for him and always will." She has asked for privacy and respect during this incredibly difficult time.

Family’s Decades-Long Search

The article also revealed that Tracy’s daughter had been searching for her half-brother for over a decade on social media and court records to no avail. “I just want him to know that he has a big sister, and I’ve always known he’s existed, and I’ve always loved him, and I’ve always been trying to find him," she said per NBC Connecticut.

According to the biological mother, Sullivan and the boys late father would not allow her to have a relationship with her son.

Allegations of Captivity and Abuse

The arrest warrant paints a disturbing picture of the conditions the man allegedly endured. According to the document, he told police that starting in the fourth grade, Sullivan confined him to an eight-foot by nine-foot black storage space. He claimed he was given only two cups of water a day, was barely fed, and was forced to use small water bottles and newspaper to dispose of his waste. He also alleged that he was locked in his room for 22 to 24 hours each day.

These allegations, if proven true, constitute severe physical and emotional abuse, and raise questions about why the situation persisted for so long without intervention. The man’s emaciated condition upon discovery is a stark indication of the alleged neglect.

Legal Proceedings and Defense

Kimberly Sullivan faces a range of serious charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment. She is currently being held by the Connecticut Department of Corrections.

Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, has asserted his client’s innocence. "She denies these allegations, and I would just ask people not to rush to judgment here. Were confident as the facts come out, she will be vindicated." He declined to comment on Vallerand’s statements. He told police on the day of the fire that her son was not locked inside a room and had "free reign of the house".

Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation

The case has sent shockwaves through the Waterbury community and beyond. The allegations of prolonged captivity and abuse are deeply disturbing, and the focus now is on supporting the victim as he begins his journey to recovery.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are likely exploring various aspects of the case, including potential motives, the involvement of other individuals, and why the alleged abuse went undetected for so long. The answers to these questions are crucial for understanding the full scope of this tragedy and preventing similar incidents in the future.

The biological mother and the son have not connected since his discovery, she told NBC Connecticut that she hopes they reunite soon.

“We all love him. I love him. He’s so strong, and I’m so proud of him for doing what he needed to do. I wish he did it sooner," she said.