New information has surfaced regarding a harrowing incident involving a 32-year-old man who was reportedly confined to a single room by his father and stepmother for 20 years in Connecticut. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was taken into custody on Wednesday, nearly a month after authorities responded to a fire set by the man inside the residence on February 17.
Following the fire incident, the man, who had been held against his will since he was 11 years old, revealed his ordeal while receiving medical treatment. Desperate for freedom, he shared his story with first responders.
The Waterbury Police Department Major Crimes Unit and Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office conducted a thorough investigation which unveiled disturbing details of prolonged abuse, starvation, neglect, and inhumane treatment inflicted on the man, according to a department statement.
Subsequent arrest warrants disclosed that the man was confined to a room almost around the clock without adequate heating or cooling. Reports indicated that he was provided with two sandwiches and two bottles of water daily, which he had to ration for personal hygiene due to the absence of soap. Severely malnourished, he weighed a mere 69 pounds and stood at 5-foot-9. Lacking access to a bathroom, he resorted to funneling his waste out of a window with the use of straws.
Despite attending school, the man suffered from hunger and resorted to scavenging food, leading to dental issues from lack of care.
Sullivan faces charges including assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment in the first degree. She was released on a $300,000 bond by the Connecticut Department of Corrections.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the man’s ordeal as “heartbreaking and unimaginable,” noting that the victim has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the system failed to intervene during his childhood.
The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) continues to search for records of previous involvement with the family. The department expressed shock and sadness over the victim’s suffering, praising his strength and resilience during his recovery.
Former school principal Tom Pannone claimed that school officials had reported the abuse allegations to the police in the past, but no action was taken. Authorities have not immediately responded to requests for comments from Fox News Digital.
Request for comment was made on Thursday. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. The original article details a man’s account of the unimaginable living conditions he endured during his 20-year home captivity.
