Kimberly Sullivan, a woman accused of holding her stepson captive for 20 years in their Waterbury, Connecticut, home, is appealing a judge’s ruling that she must wear a GPS ankle monitor while out on bail. Her attorney argues that this requirement violates Sullivan’s constitutional right to due process as it was imposed as an additional bail condition after her initial hearing. Initially, a bail of $300,000 was set for Sullivan along with “intensive pre-trial supervision.” However, the state later requested a GPS monitor, citing concerns that she was a flight risk due to the seriousness of the charges and additional witnesses coming forward.
Despite Sullivan’s lawyers highlighting her lack of criminal history, residency, and work history in court, the state successfully argued for the addition of a GPS monitor to her bail conditions. The state claimed that new information surfaced suggesting Sullivan was receiving mental health treatment and living with one of her stepdaughters, thus requiring the monitor for monitoring purposes. Sullivan’s attorneys contested these claims, arguing that the state did not provide evidence to prove that the existing conditions of her release were insufficient to ensure her presence in court or protect the alleged victim or the public.
The appeal filed by Sullivan’s legal team seeks to vacate the decision requiring her to wear a GPS monitor. The law firm handling the appeal, Pattis and Paz, LLC, asserts that the modification to her release conditions was driven by public attention and a desire for punishment rather than legitimate concerns about her appearance in court. The attorneys also point out that the state’s attempt to present the case in front of a different judge violates established legal principles.
Details from the arrest warrant for Sullivan reveal the shocking conditions her stepson endured for two decades. Held in an 8-foot by 9-foot storage closet without air conditioning, heat, or bathroom access, the man spent 22 to 24 hours a day inside the room. He subsisted on two sandwiches and two small water bottles daily, using one for bathing. When authorities found him after he set fire to the home in a bid for freedom, he weighed less than 70 pounds. The allegations of long-term captivity came to light after the fire, prompting a broader investigation.
The legal battle surrounding Sullivan’s bail conditions highlights the complexities of the case and the broader implications of the allegations against her. Her attorneys argue that the additional requirement of a GPS monitor was unjustified and based on public sentiment rather than legal necessity. As the appeal process continues, more details may emerge about Sullivan’s alleged actions and the circumstances surrounding her stepson’s captivity. The case raises questions about the proper balance between ensuring a fair trial for the accused and protecting the alleged victims in cases of severe abuse and neglect.
