Connecticut Woman Arrested, Accused of Holding Stepson Captive for Two Decades
A Connecticut woman, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, is facing serious criminal charges after being accused of holding her stepson captive for an astonishing 20 years. The accusations surfaced following a fire at Sullivan’s Waterbury home on February 17th.
Waterbury police and fire departments responded to the blaze at Sullivan’s residence. Both Sullivan and her 32-year-old stepson were safely evacuated from the premises as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. What initially appeared to be a house fire quickly transformed into a disturbing case of alleged prolonged abuse and captivity.
During medical treatment following the fire, Sullivan’s stepson revealed a shocking secret to authorities. According to a news release from the Waterbury Police Department, the stepson admitted to intentionally starting the fire in an upstairs bedroom using hand sanitizer, printer paper, and a lighter. His motive, he confessed, was to escape the alleged captivity and achieve freedom from his stepmother. He told police that Sullivan had held him captive since he was only 11 years old.
The revelation triggered an extensive investigation by the Waterbury Police Department and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office. The investigation uncovered a horrifying pattern of prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment allegedly inflicted upon the stepson. Police reported that he was found in a severely emaciated condition, a stark indication of the alleged deprivation he had endured. Furthermore, authorities discovered that he had not received any medical or dental care during his two decades of alleged captivity.
The investigation revealed that the stepson had been provided with minimal amounts of food and water, leading to his extremely malnourished state. "The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable," stated Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo in a press release.
Based on the findings of the investigation, Kimberly Sullivan was identified as a suspect and subsequently arrested. She faces five criminal charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, maintains his client’s innocence. In a statement to USA TODAY, Kaloidis stated, "She’s never been in trouble. She’s never harmed anyone. She denies these allegations, and I would just ask people not to rush to judgment here. We’re confident as the facts come out, she will be vindicated."
Details emerging from the arrest warrant paint a grim picture of the stepson’s alleged experiences. Starting at the age of three, he recalled sneaking out of his room at night to scavenge for leftover food and drink. His confinement allegedly escalated when authorities say wrappings were discovered and he began to be locked in his room during the evenings.
The stepson also allegedly told police that he was forced to drink water from the toilet because he was given only about two cups of water each day. He also allegedly stole food from other children at school to stave off hunger. According to the stepson, there was always a lock on the outside of the room in which he was kept.
The stepson was withdrawn from school in the fourth grade after the Department of Children and Families visited the family home on several occasions, according to reports. The arrest warrant states that once he was pulled from school, his weekday routine and captivity became brutally consistent for the rest of his life.
The stepson was allegedly locked away for several hours every day, except when he was permitted to complete various chores that took between 15 minutes and two hours. On weekends, his father would allegedly allow him to watch television or assist with yard work while Sullivan and his sisters were out.
According to police, the captivity and restraint became worse after the death of his father. He was reportedly given up to two sandwiches a day, two small water bottles, and was forced to use bottles and newspapers to dispose of his waste.
Disturbingly, authorities say relatives, including his sisters, were aware of the situation but did nothing to intervene.
The stepson allegedly told police that he feared Sullivan would withhold the little food and "light of day" she currently provided if he revealed his circumstances to anyone.
Sullivan was arraigned on Wednesday, and her bond was set at $300,000. She is currently in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections.
"Sullivan, who was taken into police custody Wednesday, was stunned to hear the allegations that are being made against her," said Kaloidis to USA TODAY.
Kaloidis emphasized, "At this time, these are just allegations, and they need to stand up in court at trial. She’s adamant she’s done nothing, and we’re confident she’ll be vindicated."
The case is expected to proceed through the court system, where the prosecution will present its evidence and Sullivan’s defense team will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations. The focus will be on determining the truth behind the stepson’s claims and whether Sullivan is responsible for the alleged abuse and captivity. The outcome of the case will undoubtedly have a significant impact on all involved, particularly the stepson, who now faces the daunting task of rebuilding his life after enduring alleged years of unimaginable hardship. The legal proceedings will be closely watched by the community as they seek answers and justice in this disturbing case.
