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Connecticut Woman Charged After Stepson Escapes 20-Year Captivity by Setting Fire

Authorities allege the 32-year-old endured decades of abuse, starvation, and neglect before his dramatic escape from a locked room.

Kimberly Sullivan being taken into custody by police in Waterbury, Conn.
Kimberly Sullivan was charged on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, with kidnapping and cruelty for allegedly holding her 32-year-old stepson captive for more than 20 years.
A home, in which a man in western Connecticut says he was allegedly held in captivity by his stepmother, is seen in Waterbury, Connecticut on March 12, 2025. He man told first responders last month he intentionally set a fire in his home to escape.
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Overview

  • Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including kidnapping, unlawful restraint, and assault, after her stepson claimed she held him captive for over 20 years.
  • The 32-year-old man set fire to his room in February, telling first responders he wanted his freedom after decades of alleged abuse and neglect.
  • Investigators found the victim severely emaciated, weighing only 68 pounds, and revealed he had not received medical or dental care since childhood.
  • The victim described being locked in an 8-by-9-foot room and given minimal food and water, with conditions worsening after his father's death last year.
  • Sullivan denies the allegations, with her attorney calling them uncorroborated and asserting her intent to vigorously contest the charges in court.