Connecticut Woman Accused of Holding Stepson Captive for Over 20 Years

Kimberly Sullivan allegedly subjected her stepson to prolonged abuse and neglect until he set a fire to escape.

A 32-year-old man weighing just 68 pounds was rescued from a Waterbury, Connecticut home after starting a fire to escape alleged captivity by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan.
Authorities claim the victim endured over two decades of severe abuse, starvation, and neglect, confined to an 8-by-9-foot room with no heat or air conditioning.
The victim, who was pulled from school in fourth grade, described being locked in his room since age 11, forced to use bottles and newspapers as a bathroom, and given minimal food and water.
Despite repeated warnings from his school to child welfare authorities in 2005, no action was taken, and the boy disappeared from public view shortly thereafter.
Sullivan, who denies the allegations, is being held on a $300,000 bond and faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, unlawful restraint, and cruelty to persons.