In a shocking case from Waterbury, Connecticut, a man has reportedly spent the last 20 years held captive by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, who is now facing kidnapping and cruelty charges following his dramatic escape.
Woman in Connecticut Arrested for Allegedly Imprisoning Stepson for Two Decades
Woman in Connecticut Arrested for Allegedly Imprisoning Stepson for Two Decades
A 32-year-old man escaped a life of alleged captivity and abuse by setting fire to the room he was confined in, leading to his stepmother’s arrest.
In a distressing turn of events, the man, now 32, managed to free himself from a 72 square-foot (6.7 square metre) confinement by igniting a fire, which led responders to discover the extent of his ordeal. Upon his escape, authorities found him weighing a mere 68 pounds (30 kilograms) and suffering from smoke inhalation.
According to police reports, the man endured years of severe neglect, starvation, and abuse under the guardianship of Sullivan. Arrested on Wednesday, the 56-year-old stepmother has vehemently denied the charges, with her attorney claiming he was never restrained and received adequate food and shelter.
In court, the victim revealed he set the fire in desperation for freedom, explaining, “I wanted my freedom.” For years, he reportedly received only a sandwich and two water bottles a day, and was allowed out of his confinement for just two hours daily to conduct chores under Sullivan's watchful eye.
Even more alarming, the victim had been held in isolation since he was 11 years old. Authorities discovered him in a state indicative of severe malnutrition, exemplified by a body mass index (BMI) of 11, well below the healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9 as defined by the National Health Service.
Local officials, including Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo, expressed disbelief at the severity of the situation, calling it "both heartbreaking and unimaginable." The case has raised questions about the victim’s living conditions and the timeline surrounding the alleged events, particularly regarding the fate of his biological father.
As the investigation continues, many await further developments in a case that has shocked the community and highlighted the serious issue of domestic abuse and neglect.
According to police reports, the man endured years of severe neglect, starvation, and abuse under the guardianship of Sullivan. Arrested on Wednesday, the 56-year-old stepmother has vehemently denied the charges, with her attorney claiming he was never restrained and received adequate food and shelter.
In court, the victim revealed he set the fire in desperation for freedom, explaining, “I wanted my freedom.” For years, he reportedly received only a sandwich and two water bottles a day, and was allowed out of his confinement for just two hours daily to conduct chores under Sullivan's watchful eye.
Even more alarming, the victim had been held in isolation since he was 11 years old. Authorities discovered him in a state indicative of severe malnutrition, exemplified by a body mass index (BMI) of 11, well below the healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9 as defined by the National Health Service.
Local officials, including Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo, expressed disbelief at the severity of the situation, calling it "both heartbreaking and unimaginable." The case has raised questions about the victim’s living conditions and the timeline surrounding the alleged events, particularly regarding the fate of his biological father.
As the investigation continues, many await further developments in a case that has shocked the community and highlighted the serious issue of domestic abuse and neglect.
