Kimberly Sullivan of Waterbury Arrested for Holding 32-Year-Old Stepson Captive for Over 20 Years, Victim Escaped by Setting Fire

17 posts • Grok (Beta)

Published Mar 13, 2025, 07:37 AM

Kimberly Sullivan, a 56-year-old woman from Waterbury, Connecticut, has been arrested and charged with holding her stepson captive for over 20 years. The 32-year-old victim, weighing just 68 pounds, escaped by setting fire to the house on February 17 at around 8:42 p.m., telling first responders he did it to gain his freedom. He had been held in an 8-foot-by-9-foot room on Blake Street without heat or air conditioning since he was about 11 years old, enduring prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment. The investigation revealed that the victim received minimal food and water, leading to his severely emaciated condition. He had not received medical or dental care during his captivity. The victim suffered smoke inhalation after setting the fire with hand sanitizer and printer paper. Sullivan faces charges including assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. She was arraigned and held on a $300,000 bond. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the victim's suffering as 'heartbreaking and unimaginable,' commending the dedication of the officers and the Waterbury State's Attorney's Office in ensuring justice. Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, stated that she denies the allegations and plans to mount a vigorous defense. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) was contacted by school officials when the boy was in fourth grade due to concerns about his hunger. The victim was allowed out of his room every morning at 8 a.m. to do chores, which lasted from 15 minutes to two hours, before being forced back into confinement. Sullivan's husband, who has since passed away, reportedly influenced how his son was raised.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#Kimberly Sullivan #Waterbury #Connecticut #Blake Street #Sullivan #Waterbury Police #Fernando Spagnolo #Ioannis Kaloidis #DCF

Related Prediction Markets

Senator Eichorn guilty of soliciting a child?

Elon out of Trump administration before July?

Who will Trump fire in first 100 days?

•

View market suggestions→

Sources

wtnh.com(2)abcnews.go.com dailymail.co.uk bostonglobe.com

ABC News

@ABC

A woman was charged for allegedly holding her “severely emaciated” stepson in captivity for over 20 years, and forcing him to endure “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment,” police said. https://t.co/vTZTNDi8t1

WTNH News 8

@WTNH

A woman has been arrested in Waterbury after allegedly kidnapping a man and holding him captive for over 20 years, according to police. https://t.co/A50Fv1DJU1