A 32-year-old man from Waterbury, Connecticut, has been rescued after allegedly enduring over two decades of captivity and abuse at the hands of his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan. The ordeal came to light on February 17, 2025, when the victim set fire to his confined living space in a desperate bid for freedom.
First responders arriving at the scene discovered the emaciated man, weighing just 68 pounds, confined to a small, locked room measuring approximately 8 by 9 feet. He informed authorities that he had been held captive since the age of 11, subjected to severe neglect, starvation, and inhumane treatment. Deprived of basic necessities, he resorted to drinking toilet water and had not received medical or dental care during his confinement.
The victim’s biological mother, who relinquished custody when he was six months old, expressed profound anguish upon learning of her son’s suffering. She revealed that her attempts to reconnect over the years were consistently rebuffed, leaving her unaware of the horrors he was enduring.
Kimberly Sullivan, 56, has been arrested and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment. Despite the gravity of the allegations, Sullivan denies any wrongdoing. Her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, asserts her innocence, stating that the claims are “outlandish” and that Sullivan was “blown away” upon hearing them.
Investigations have uncovered that concerns about the victim’s welfare date back to 2005. Former school officials recall the boy exhibiting signs of neglect and malnutrition, prompting multiple reports to authorities. Despite these early warnings, effective intervention failed to materialize, allowing the abuse to persist for years.
The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) has come under intense scrutiny for its handling of the case. Lawmakers are calling for improved record retention and more proactive engagement with children involved in abuse or neglect complaints, even when initial investigations are unsubstantiated. Discussions are also underway to enhance oversight when children are withdrawn from school settings.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the case as “the worst treatment of humanity” he has witnessed in his 30-year career. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment for severe malnutrition, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other health issues resulting from prolonged neglect.
This disturbing case has prompted a broader conversation about systemic failures in child protective services and the urgent need for reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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