Connecticut Man Claims Stepmother Held Him Captive for 20 Years

Shocking Revelation: Man Freed from 20-Year Captivity After House Fire

When firefighters responded to a blaze in a Connecticut home last month, they made a startling discovery. One of the occupants, a 32-year-old man, claimed he had been rescued not only from the fire but from two decades of imprisonment within the confines of the house.

The man, whose identity remains confidential, accused his stepmother of imprisoning him in a room in their Waterbury residence. He alleged that he had been held there with minimal food, water, and without access to basic necessities such as medical care, dental care, or a bathroom since childhood.

The Escape from Captivity

The dramatic escape unfolded when the man reportedly used a lighter, which he had found in his late father’s jacket, to ignite a fire in his upstairs bedroom. “I wanted my freedom,” he told first responders, according to the Waterbury Police Department. The man allegedly set the fire using hand sanitizer, printer paper, and the lighter. His actions led to his eventual rescue, but not before he endured years of being locked in a room with minimal food, water, and access to basic necessities like a bathroom.

Allegations of Long-term Abuse

According to an affidavit obtained by NPR, the man recounted to detectives the harrowing details of his confinement, which began when he was around 11 years old. He alleged that his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, confined him to a back room and severely neglected him. He claimed to have survived on minimal sustenance, which consisted of small amounts of water and food daily. He also described resorting to drinking water from the toilet to quench his thirst.

Over time, the locks on his room reportedly evolved from a simple chain lock to more secure mechanisms like a slide bolt lock and plywood reinforcements. The man alleged that his stepmother was responsible for these conditions and that his late father occasionally allowed him out of the room to do chores or watch TV together. His last reported time outside the property was when he was around 14 or 15 years old.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

As a result of the investigation by the Waterbury police’s major crimes unit, Sullivan was taken into custody on Wednesday, facing charges that include assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. She was arraigned on the same day, with her bond set at $300,000. Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, stated via email to NPR that she “maintains her innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to clear her name.” He emphasized that the allegations are, at this point, merely allegations.

Upon his rescue from the February 17 fire, the man was found in a “severely emaciated condition,” according to police reports. Medical records indicated he weighed only 68.7 pounds, a life-threatening weight for someone standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. First responders noted his unkempt appearance, matted hair, and poor dental health, as detailed in a police affidavit obtained by NPR.

During interviews with detectives while recovering in a medical facility, the man recounted the harsh conditions of his confinement over the past two decades, describing it as a life filled with “captivity, abuse, and starvation,” according to the court documents.

Defense and Investigation

Sullivan was arraigned the same day as her arrest. Her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, communicated to NPR via email that Sullivan “maintains her innocence and looks forward to the opportunity to clear her name,” while emphasizing the seriousness but unproven nature of the allegations.

Detectives investigating the case discovered evidence supporting the man’s claims, including burn patterns on his bedroom floor and the presence of locks and plywood on his door. The victim, referred to in court documents as “MVI,” told detectives he had been locked in the room since he was about 12 years old. He recounted a life of deprivation, where he attempted to learn using a dictionary and a few books and kept track of time with a calendar. His only connection to the outside world was a small radio outside his room.

His late father occasionally allowed him to leave the room for longer periods to watch television or assist with yard work. The police affidavit notes that the victim was last outside the house around the age of 14 or 15. The affidavit also mentions the victim’s severe physical condition, with medical staff describing him as “extremely emaciated,” with matted hair, dirty appearance, and severely decayed teeth.

Following the fire, the man was hospitalized in critical condition. In interviews with detectives during his recovery, he detailed his life in captivity. The police investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, concluded that the man had been held captive for over 20 years, suffering from prolonged abuse and neglect.

In a statement, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said, “The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable,” adding that their commitment is to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for these crimes.

Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. Her bail was set at $300,000, and her lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, indicated that Sullivan would be appearing in court to post bail, maintaining that she is innocent of the allegations. “While the allegations are serious, they are just that, allegations,” Kaloidis stated in an email to NPR.

According to Kaloidis, Sullivan’s late husband was the primary decision-maker regarding his son’s upbringing. He suggested to reporters that evidence would show Sullivan “is not the villain she’s being made out to be.”

The case has drawn widespread attention, with details emerging that highlight the alleged prolonged abuse. For more on similar incidents, read about the Carlee Russell kidnapping hoax.