Man escapes after allegedly being held captive by stepmother for over 20 years

A Connecticut man’s desperate act of setting his home on fire led to a shocking revelation—he had allegedly been held captive by his stepmother for more than two decades. Authorities say the man, now 32 years old, had been locked in a small room with little food, no medical care, and virtually no contact with the outside world.

The harrowing ordeal came to light on February 17, when emergency responders arrived at a burning home in Waterbury. Police found the man and his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, at the scene. Sullivan was able to evacuate safely, but the man, weakened from years of malnutrition and confinement, required assistance to leave the house. He later told authorities that he deliberately set the fire using hand sanitizer, printer paper, and a lighter in a desperate attempt to escape.

According to a police affidavit, the man—identified only as “Male Victim 1”—had been locked in an eight-by-nine-foot room, surviving on just two sandwiches and two cups of water per day. At the time of his rescue, he weighed approximately 70 pounds despite being 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Officers described him as “extremely emaciated,” and all of his teeth appeared to be rotten due to years of neglect.

Authorities allege that the man had been imprisoned by Sullivan since he was about 11 years old. During this time, he received no medical or dental care and was rarely allowed out of his room. Initially, as a child, he would sneak out at night to find food. However, when Sullivan discovered food wrappers he had hidden, she began locking him in his room. By the time he reached fourth grade, he was begging, stealing, or even searching through garbage for food at school.

The state’s child welfare agency conducted two wellness checks during his fourth-grade year after school officials raised concerns. However, the boy claimed he was coached by Sullivan to insist that everything was fine. Shortly thereafter, she withdrew him from school entirely. From that point on, he was only permitted to leave his room for brief moments to complete chores.

The affidavit states that by the time he was 14 or 15, his only time outside the property was during a single occasion when he accompanied his father to dispose of yard waste. After his father’s death, his confinement became even more severe. He told investigators that, for years, his only time outside was letting the family dog out—an act that took no more than a minute each day.

Investigators discovered plywood fastened on both sides of the door to prevent him from leaving, reinforcing his claims of long-term captivity.

Kimberly Sullivan has since been arrested and faces multiple charges, including assault, kidnapping, and cruelty. Her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, maintains her innocence, stating, “He was not locked in a room, she did not restrain him in any way. She provided food, she provided shelter. She is blown away by these allegations.” Kaloidis emphasized that Sullivan is presumed innocent and looks forward to proving her case in court.

The victim is now receiving medical care and treatment for his years of neglect. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo called the case “heartbreaking and unimaginable,” commending the investigative efforts that brought the situation to light.

This case has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising questions about how such extreme abuse could have gone unnoticed for so long. As legal proceedings unfold, authorities and advocates continue working to ensure the man receives the support and justice he deserves.