The victim, now 32 years old, was only 68 pounds when he was rescued recently from a house fire in Waterbury. He revealed to the authorities that he intentionally started the fire to escape the horrific conditions he had allegedly endured since he was 11 years old. Former principal of an elementary school raised concerns about the severely malnourished man who had spent decades in captivity in a house of horrors in Connecticut. Despite multiple red flags being raised, no action was taken as the victim disappeared from sight. The principal, Tom Pannone, mentioned that they had reported the concerns multiple times, but nothing was done, which he described as a tragic situation. Concerns about the victim had been raised by the school staff since he was five years old, with reports being made to child services and the boy’s stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan. The victim was abruptly removed from school and never returned. Sullivan, aged 56, was later arrested on charges of cruelty and kidnapping, following an investigation that uncovered the shocking abuse the victim had endured. The victim had experienced hunger at home and had resorted to stealing and eating from the trash at school. Despite the school’s efforts to alert authorities, the victim was taken out of school by his stepmother after multiple reports were made. Sullivan had allegedly instructed the victim to lie to authorities and then withdrew him from school shortly after.
The shocking alleged abuse was uncovered by Waterbury Police. Pannone was informed that the boy had supposedly been enrolled in nearby Wolcott Public Schools, but no record could be found. There was also mention that the student was being homeschooled at one point. However, the victim disclosed to investigators that he had been confined to a room in the home and was not receiving any education. Kimberly Sullivan was arrested on charges of kidnapping and cruelty for reportedly imprisoning her 32-year-old stepson for more than two decades. The victim revealed that his routine became consistently brutal after he was removed from school, indicating a lifetime of captivity. The investigation was initiated after the man was rescued from a house fire on February 17, where he admitted to intentionally setting the blaze while being treated for smoke inhalation. He expressed a desire for freedom, leading to the discovery that he had endured prolonged abuse, starvation, neglect, and inhumane treatment for over 20 years. Sullivan faces charges of assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty, and reckless endangerment. She was arraigned and is currently held on a $300,000 bond.
