Man ‘imprisoned by stepmom for 20 years’ asks heartbreaking question after she remains free despite being charged
Kimberly Sullivan of Waterbury, Connecticut, faces accusations of keeping her stepson prisoner in her residence after he reportedly started a fire to escape. The unnamed man was discovered severely undernourished following the blaze, leading to Sullivan's arrest.
His living conditions first came under inspection during his school years. At age 10, he was removed from Waterbury's public education system in 2004 when school staff contacted child welfare officials with worries about him. Sullivan claimed he would receive education at home afterward.
On February 17, the man allegedly used a lighter, paper, and hand sanitizer to set fire to the house. He has since stated he was permitted only two sandwiches and two small water bottles daily, and could leave his tiny room solely to perform household tasks for Sullivan. The arrest warrant noted a slide bolt lock attached to the outside of his room door.
The man raised a painful question after Sullivan appeared in court. She attended Waterbury court where she denied charges of kidnapping, felony assault, and cruelty to persons.
During proceedings, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Don Therkildsen Jr. shared the victim's thoughts about Sullivan's freedom despite her charges. After her arrest, Sullivan posted $300,000 bail in March, allowing her release with electronic monitoring.
Therkildsen Jr. revealed the man was confused why she wasn't jailed given the serious allegations against her. He suggested house arrest for Sullivan as she might flee.
"This victim is afraid. This victim lives in fear," Therkildsen Jr. told the court. He added that the first question the man asked was: "Why is she out walking around when I was locked up in a room for 20 years?"
Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, has rejected these claims, stating: "She's not the villain she is being made out to be. He was not locked in a room. She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food, she provided shelter."
She expressed shock at these accusations." Kaloidis opposed the house arrest suggestion because Sullivan has followed all requirements since posting bail, and she has also gotten threats. He stated that restricting her to home confinement would endanger her safety.
The alleged victim claimed he was confined in the room without heating or cooling systems for most hours daily starting from approximately age 11. His father, Kregg Sullivan, permitted him longer periods outside the room until his passing last year.
