A mother in Connecticut was allegedly found to have kept her severely emaciated stepson captive for decades in conditions likened to a horror movie, before he set a fire to escape the inhumane situation, authorities revealed. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged in connection with the disturbing incident that came to light after a fire broke out at their Waterbury home. The stepson, age 32 and weighing only 68 pounds, was rescued by firefighters on February 17, and he later disclosed that he intentionally started the fire in his upstairs bedroom to break free from the long-term captivity.
According to court documents, the victim shared that he had been confined since he was around 11 years old and had endured unimaginable conditions. He mentioned using bottles and newspapers as makeshift bathroom facilities during his teenage years and early adulthood. The investigation launched by police and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office revealed that the victim had been deprived of medical care and subjected to abuse, neglect, and inhumane treatment for over two decades.
The victim recounted instances of extreme deprivation, including having to drink from a toilet bowl due to limited water access and resorting to scavenging for food, even eating from the garbage, to alleviate his hunger during his elementary school years. Sullivan’s attorney expressed shock at the accusations, while prosecutors described the situation as something out of a horror movie. The victim faced life-threatening risks when setting the fire as a means of escape.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Sullivan’s attorney emphasized that they remain unproven and lack corroborating evidence. Sullivan was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and second-degree imprisonment.
Waterbury police chief Fernando Spagnolo described the victim’s suffering over a span of more than 20 years as both heartbreaking and unimaginable. However, Sullivan’s attorney, Kaloidis, shared that his client was shocked and denied the accusations when they were presented to her. He emphasized her innocence and expressed confidence in her defense, stating that she will be vindicated.
Kaloidis argued that there was food in the house and the victim was not confined to a room, noting that the victim’s biological father was responsible for his care before his passing. Neighbors of Sullivan, Zeffery Guarnera and Suzette Baker, shared that they rarely interacted with the family and had only spoken about their shared love of animals. Guarnera mentioned that their daughter had seen a boy in the house’s window years ago, but hadn’t seen him since.
The neighbors recalled seeing someone doing yard work over the years, not realizing it was Sullivan’s stepson. Despite the allegations, Sullivan’s bond was set at $300,000, with her attorney expecting it to be posted promptly.
