WATERBURY, CT— Authorities in Waterbury, CT placed 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan under arrest Wednesday after her stepson - who was allegedly held captive by her for over twenty years - deliberately set the house where he was kept on fire in a desperate effort to summon help.
In a Thursday morning press conference reported on by WFSB, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the horrific state in which first responders found the victim-telling reporters, “33 years in law enforcement... [and] this is the worst treatment of humanity that I’ve ever witnessed.”
Sullivan was taken into custody after fleeing her home. The 32-year-old victim was rescued from the home by firefighters- badly emaciated and weighing in at a shocking 68 pounds, according to court records. After the man received life-saving first aid for smoke inhalation and burns, he told the firefighters that he intentionally set the blaze in the cramped area that he was forced to sleep in.
The man was allegedly held in an 8-foot by 9-foot room and had not left the house since he was 14 or 15 years old.
“I wanted my freedom,” the man told authorities, telling them that his stepmother had held him captive since he was only about 11 years old.
Spagnolo said in a statement posted to social media.
”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. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.”
Investigators found that her stepson was subjected to “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment.”
The authorities added, “He was found in a severely emaciated condition and had not received medical or dental care during this time. Investigators further discovered that he had been provided with only minimal amounts of food and water, which led to his extremely malnourished condition.”
According to WFSB, prosecutors said that the man standing at 5’9 “was, without exaggeration, akin to a survivor of Auschwitz’s death camp,” at the time of his rescue.
Sullivan was held on a $300,000 bond on charges of assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment in the first degree, according to USA Today.
A report from People revealed that she successfully posted bond on Thursday and was released- after a request by the prosecutor's office for house arrest or electronic monitoring was denied.
Department of Children and Families Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly said in a statement obtained by People that the agency was "unable to locate any records pertaining to this family," however adding that all unsubstantiated records are expunged after five years.
Sullivan’s attorney Ioannis Kaloidis told the outlet in a statement that she maintains her innocence, saying, "we would urge the public not to rush to judgment in this case, to please keep in mind that she is presumed innocent unless and until if ever, the state can prove otherwise at trial. These allegations are horrific and she intends to defend them vigorously. She is innocent. And we intend to follow this case through until she's vindicated."
In a Thursday morning press conference reported on by WFSB, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the horrific state in which first responders found the victim-telling reporters, “33 years in law enforcement... [and] this is the worst treatment of humanity that I’ve ever witnessed.”
Sullivan was taken into custody after fleeing her home. The 32-year-old victim was rescued from the home by firefighters- badly emaciated and weighing in at a shocking 68 pounds, according to court records. After the man received life-saving first aid for smoke inhalation and burns, he told the firefighters that he intentionally set the blaze in the cramped area that he was forced to sleep in.
The man was allegedly held in an 8-foot by 9-foot room and had not left the house since he was 14 or 15 years old.
“I wanted my freedom,” the man told authorities, telling them that his stepmother had held him captive since he was only about 11 years old.
Spagnolo said in a statement posted to social media.
“Quite frankly the facts are something out of a horror movie.”
— Amanda Callahan (@_AmandaCallahan) March 13, 2025
56 year old Kimberly Sullivan was arrested today, accused of abusing her stepson for more than 20 years at their house in Waterbury.
What neighbors are saying about the “boy in the window” at 11 on @WFSBnews pic.twitter.com/UT9PHSMDiN
”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. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.”
Investigators found that her stepson was subjected to “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment.”
The authorities added, “He was found in a severely emaciated condition and had not received medical or dental care during this time. Investigators further discovered that he had been provided with only minimal amounts of food and water, which led to his extremely malnourished condition.”
According to WFSB, prosecutors said that the man standing at 5’9 “was, without exaggeration, akin to a survivor of Auschwitz’s death camp,” at the time of his rescue.
Sullivan was held on a $300,000 bond on charges of assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment in the first degree, according to USA Today.
A report from People revealed that she successfully posted bond on Thursday and was released- after a request by the prosecutor's office for house arrest or electronic monitoring was denied.
Department of Children and Families Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly said in a statement obtained by People that the agency was "unable to locate any records pertaining to this family," however adding that all unsubstantiated records are expunged after five years.
Sullivan’s attorney Ioannis Kaloidis told the outlet in a statement that she maintains her innocence, saying, "we would urge the public not to rush to judgment in this case, to please keep in mind that she is presumed innocent unless and until if ever, the state can prove otherwise at trial. These allegations are horrific and she intends to defend them vigorously. She is innocent. And we intend to follow this case through until she's vindicated."
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