Waterbury Man Held Captive by Stepmother for Over 20 Years, Police Say
GoFundMe total as of March 14, 2025: $48,961
In a shocking case of abuse and neglect, a 32-year-old man was rescued from a Waterbury, Connecticut home where he had been held captive by his stepmother for more than 20 years, according to police.
Horrific Conditions and Treatment
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo called it "the worst treatment of humanity" he had ever witnessed in his 30 years of law enforcement. The victim, who has not been identified, was found severely emaciated, weighing only 68 pounds, and had not received medical or dental care in over two decades.
He told police that his stepmother, 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, had kept him locked in an 8-by-9 foot room for 22 to 24 hours a day. He was given only minimal amounts of food and water, sometimes forced to drink from the toilet. The victim used "an elaborate mechanism" he devised himself to go to the bathroom, feeding urine out a hole in the storm window via straws so he wouldn't have to open the window and risk further punishment from Sullivan.
Desperate Escape Attempt
On February 17, the victim intentionally set a fire in the room where he was being held, later telling first responders "I wanted my freedom." Firefighters responded and helped the man out of the home. Sullivan was able to evacuate safely. The victim suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire.
While receiving medical care, he recounted his hellish ordeal to police, saying Sullivan had held him captive since he was about 11 years old and that she told him "under pain of death no one was to see me." He had no contact with the outside world except for a radio. His education stopped in 4th grade when Sullivan permanently pulled him out of school.
Previous Welfare Checks
Records show that police visited the home twice in 2004 for welfare checks at the request of the Department of Children and Families after school officials reported concerns. However, officers at the time found no obvious signs of abuse. The family later filed a harassment complaint against school district members for the continued reports.
The victim's uncle told police he had not seen his nephew since 2004 or 2005. Concerned, he spoke to a private investigator about a decade ago who suggested looking for a death certificate. Other family members also feared retaliation from Sullivan if they tried to help the victim.
Suspect Denies Allegations
Sullivan was arrested and charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. She posted $300,000 bail and has denied the allegations through her attorney.
"She did not restrain him in any way, she provided food, she provided shelter -- she is blown away by these allegations," said Sullivan's lawyer Ioannis Kaloidis. Her legal team plans to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf and says she looks forward to clearing her name at trial.
Long Road to Recovery
The victim, now in stable condition at a medical facility, faces immense challenges in overcoming the physical and psychological trauma he endured. Generous members of the Waterbury Police Department took up a collection to provide him with clothing, books, and other items to aid in his recovery and comfort.
A local nonprofit, Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, has also set up a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $24,000 to help cover the victim's medical expenses, therapy, housing, and legal fees as he rebuilds his life and seeks justice.
This unthinkable case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the crucial importance of community members, friends, family, and professionals working together diligently to protect vulnerable children and adults from abuse and neglect. As Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said, "It's better to report something and have it turn out not to be true than to allow something like this to go on for 20 years."
Horrific Conditions and Treatment
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo called it "the worst treatment of humanity" he had ever witnessed in his 30 years of law enforcement. The victim, who has not been identified, was found severely emaciated, weighing only 68 pounds, and had not received medical or dental care in over two decades.
He told police that his stepmother, 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, had kept him locked in an 8-by-9 foot room for 22 to 24 hours a day. He was given only minimal amounts of food and water, sometimes forced to drink from the toilet. The victim used "an elaborate mechanism" he devised himself to go to the bathroom, feeding urine out a hole in the storm window via straws so he wouldn't have to open the window and risk further punishment from Sullivan.
Desperate Escape Attempt
On February 17, the victim intentionally set a fire in the room where he was being held, later telling first responders "I wanted my freedom." Firefighters responded and helped the man out of the home. Sullivan was able to evacuate safely. The victim suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire.
While receiving medical care, he recounted his hellish ordeal to police, saying Sullivan had held him captive since he was about 11 years old and that she told him "under pain of death no one was to see me." He had no contact with the outside world except for a radio. His education stopped in 4th grade when Sullivan permanently pulled him out of school.
Previous Welfare Checks
Records show that police visited the home twice in 2004 for welfare checks at the request of the Department of Children and Families after school officials reported concerns. However, officers at the time found no obvious signs of abuse. The family later filed a harassment complaint against school district members for the continued reports.
The victim's uncle told police he had not seen his nephew since 2004 or 2005. Concerned, he spoke to a private investigator about a decade ago who suggested looking for a death certificate. Other family members also feared retaliation from Sullivan if they tried to help the victim.
Suspect Denies Allegations
Sullivan was arrested and charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. She posted $300,000 bail and has denied the allegations through her attorney.
"She did not restrain him in any way, she provided food, she provided shelter -- she is blown away by these allegations," said Sullivan's lawyer Ioannis Kaloidis. Her legal team plans to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf and says she looks forward to clearing her name at trial.
Long Road to Recovery
The victim, now in stable condition at a medical facility, faces immense challenges in overcoming the physical and psychological trauma he endured. Generous members of the Waterbury Police Department took up a collection to provide him with clothing, books, and other items to aid in his recovery and comfort.
A local nonprofit, Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, has also set up a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $24,000 to help cover the victim's medical expenses, therapy, housing, and legal fees as he rebuilds his life and seeks justice.
This unthinkable case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the crucial importance of community members, friends, family, and professionals working together diligently to protect vulnerable children and adults from abuse and neglect. As Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said, "It's better to report something and have it turn out not to be true than to allow something like this to go on for 20 years."