A shocking story has emerged in Connecticut involving a 32-year-old man who was allegedly held captive in a single room by his father and stepmother for 20 years. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested after the man was rescued by first responders when he lit a fire inside the home on February 17. The man revealed that he had been held captive since he was 11 years old and expressed a desire for his freedom to the first responders. An investigation by the Waterbury Police Department Major Crimes Unit and Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office found that the man endured prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment during his captivity.
The man was found locked inside a room for nearly 24 hours a day without access to heat or air conditioning. He was provided with only two sandwiches and two bottles of water each day, which he rationed for soapless baths. The man weighed just 69 pounds and stood at 5-foot-9 when he was rescued. Due to the lack of access to a bathroom, he funneled his waste through straws that led to a window. He was also starving while still attending school, often stealing food and eating out of the garbage, and suffering from dental issues due to lack of care.
Kimberly Sullivan was arrested and charged with 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. Her bond was set at $300,000, and she was later released by the Connecticut Department of Corrections. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the suffering the man endured as “heartbreaking and unimaginable,” noting that he has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression as a result. Authorities are investigating how the man fell through the cracks as a child, with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families continuing to search for records of agency involvement.
Police had only two interactions with the family in 2005, with one being a welfare check prompted by reports from classmates and the other involving a harassment complaint filed by the family against school officials. However, there were no causes for concern noted during these interactions. The Connecticut Department of Children and Families stated that unsubstantiated reports of neglect or abuse are erased five years after the conclusion of the investigation. Former principal Tom Pannone of the defunct Barnard Elementary School in Waterbury claimed that administrators had reported the alleged abuse to police, but nothing was done. The Waterbury Police Department, Waterbury Public Schools, and Connecticut DCF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The victim in this case has shown incredible strength and resilience during the process of healing from the trauma he endured. The Connecticut Department of Children and Families expressed shock and sadness for the victim, stating that their hearts go out to him. The man’s story has brought attention to the importance of investigating reports of abuse and neglect thoroughly and taking action to protect vulnerable individuals. The case highlights the need for agencies to work together to prevent such horrific situations from occurring in the future.
