A Connecticut woman has been arrested for allegedly imprisoning her severely malnourished stepson in their home for over 20 years, subjecting him to prolonged abuse, starvation, and neglect, according to police.
Authorities discovered the 32-year-old man, who weighed just 68 pounds, after responding to a fire at the residence on February 17.
Investigators found a room with exterior locks, and the victim revealed he had deliberately set the fire to escape, stating, “I wanted my freedom.”
The victim claimed he had been held captive since he was 11 years old.
Police determined he had been deprived of adequate food, water, and medical care for decades.
His stepmother, 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, assault, and cruelty to persons. While Sullivan’s lawyer insisted she was not responsible and blamed the victim’s late father, authorities found evidence of increasing confinement over the years.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the case as one of the worst examples of human suffering he had encountered in his career. Sullivan is currently being held on a $300,000 bond as she awaits trial.
