Mother of man allegedly kept captive by stepmother breaks silence after son’s escape

WATERBURY, Conn. - The biological mother of a man reportedly held captive by his stepmother in Connecticut for nearly 20 years has shared a statement.
Although she chose to remain unnamed, the mother explained that she relinquished custody of her son when he was just 6 months old. “Thirty-two years ago, I made the heart-wrenching decision to give full custody to my ex-husband for personal reasons, believing it would benefit my son. Unfortunately, that decision has not had the outcome I hoped for. For the past 30 years, my family and I have continuously searched for him, only to be met with silence and rejection,” she expressed.

She continued, “The events of the last few days have been shocking, disturbing, and hard to grasp. I hope we can start the healing process and help my son live a happy and loving life. I have always been there for him in spirit and always will be. Please allow us the time, peace, and respect we need to navigate through this tragic situation.”

Recently, 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, the stepmother of the victim, was arrested on multiple charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, and cruelty to persons. 

The investigation began in February after the victim deliberately set a fire in his bedroom. Law enforcement reported that he had been confined in a cramped 8-foot by 9-foot room in a residence on Blake Street in Waterbury, where he was allegedly provided with minimal food and water. An arrest warrant indicated that Sullivan had kept him locked away for around two decades, and investigators described his physical condition as alarming—standing at 5 feet 9 inches and weighing only 68 pounds. Waterbury police compared his living conditions to those found in World War II concentration camps.

As the investigation continues, authorities face the challenging task of uncovering evidence related to the alleged abuse that spans two decades. Retired state police officer Paul Vance noted the importance of locating anyone who may have known the victim over the years. “We need to trace back 20 to 25 years to understand how this began and identify anyone who might have had contact with him, even former classmates from elementary school,” Vance pointed out.

Previously, Waterbury police had visited the home in 2005 following complaints made to the Department of Family and Children, but they found no evidence of wrongdoing at that time. The department does not retain information on unsubstantiated complaints after five years, which raises concerns about potential oversight in the case.

Vance emphasized the need for public help in the investigation, urging anyone who may have known the victim or his family to contact the authorities. As for Kimberly Sullivan, she is scheduled to return to court next week, where her lawyers plan to enter a not guilty plea to the charges.