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Conn. woman allegedly held stepson captive for 20 years
The man intentionally set a fire in his room to gain his "freedom," and, after an investigation, authorities arrested his stepmother on kidnapping and assault charges.
A 32-year-old Connecticut man intentionally set fire to his home to escape his stepmother who had been allegedly holding him captive for more than 20 years, according to police.
Now, the woman is facing kidnapping and assault charges.
Fire crews in Waterbury, Connecticut responded to a Blake Street home Feb. 17 and quickly extinguished a fire. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, the owner of the home, evacuated safely, Waterbury police said Wednesday.
During the fire, the man inside the property, who was not identified by police, was assisted out of the home by fire crews and received medical care for smoke inhalation and fire exposure, police said. He was also severely emaciated.
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He told first responders that he had “intentionally set the fire in his upstairs rooms, stating, “I wanted my freedom,” according to police. He said Sullivan had held him captive since he was about 11 years old.
Waterbury police began an “extensive investigation” with their Major Crimes Unit and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office. Investigators found that during more than 20 years in captivity, the man had endured “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment,” Waterbury police said.
Prosecutors said in court that the 5-foot-9-inch man weighed 68 pounds when he was found in February. Sullivan allegedly kept him in an eight-by-nine-foot room without heat or air conditioning, locking him from the outside with a slide bolt lock found on the door frame, NBC Connecticut reported.
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The man also had not received any medical or dental care, police said.
“The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable. This case required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office,” Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said. “Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.”
About a month after the fire, Sullivan was arrested and arraigned in court Wednesday. She is charged with first degree assault, second degree kidnapping, first degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first degree reckless endangerment.
Her bond was set at $300,000, according to police, and she will be placed into custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections.
Her attorney Ionnis Kaloidis told Boston.com that Sullivan “is adamant that she’s done nothing wrong” and was “shocked” when she heard of the charges.
“We are anticipating a long fight ahead of us. The allegations are serious, but they are allegations. She is presumed innocent,” Kaloidis said Wednesday. “We don’t feel the state’s case is as strong as it may appear on the surface. Over the coming months, we plan to put forth a strong defense.”
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