A 20-Year Nightmare – Woman Arrested for Imprisoning and Starving Stepson
In a shocking case that has stunned the nation, a 32-year-old man was rescued by firefighters in Waterbury, Connecticut, after enduring 20 years of imprisonment, starvation, and abuse at the hands of his stepmother.
The man, who weighed only 68 pounds (31 kg) and stood 5’9” tall, was found in a tiny, locked room during a house fire he started to escape his nightmare. His stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, now faces charges including kidnapping, assault, and unlawful imprisonment.
How Was the Victim Discovered?
On the day of the fire, emergency workers arrived at Sullivan’s home after she called 911. While rescuing her, firefighters heard coughing from another part of the house. They discovered her stepson lying on the floor, severely malnourished and struggling to breathe. The man later told police he started the fire to finally escape the room he’d been trapped in since he was 11 years old.
“I want my freedom,” he told firefighters, according to police reports. His body showed signs of extreme neglect: matted hair, rotten teeth, and a skeletal frame. Doctors diagnosed him with cachexia (a life-threatening form of muscle and fat loss) and a body mass index (BMI) of 11—far below the healthy range of 18.5–24.9.
Two Decades of Torture: What Happened?
The victim described years of horrific abuse to investigators:
- Locked in a Tiny Room: An 8×9-foot room with no heating or cooling.
- Starvation Diet: Two sandwiches and two small water bottles daily.
- No Medical/Dental Care: Broken teeth and untreated injuries.
- Forced to Use Newspapers as a Toilet: Denied bathroom access.
Threats of Violence: Sullivan allegedly warned him, “You won’t see the light of day if you try to leave.”
The abuse began when he was a child. School staff reported concerns to Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), but after two visits, the boy stopped attending school. Sullivan then locked him in the room permanently, only letting him out for chores like cleaning her car.
How Did He Survive?
The man survived by:
- Collecting food scraps from school trash cans as a child.
- Drinking from toilet bowls when desperate.
- Reading a dictionary and old books to pass time.
- Listening to a radio through his door.
Despite opportunities to flee during chores, he feared Sullivan’s threats and knowledge that she owned a gun. “Under pain of death, no one was to see me,” he told police.
The Fire That Exposed the Crime
In a desperate bid for freedom, the man used hand sanitizer, printer paper, and a lighter to start a fire in his room. When flames grew, he screamed for help. Sullivan and another person (identity hidden in court files) rushed to wash his face and remove the door’s lock before firefighters arrived. The victim pretended to collapse, forcing rescuers to carry him—a move he hoped would reveal his suffering.
Legal Action Against Kimberly Sullivan
Sullivan was arrested on charges including:
- First-degree assault
- Kidnapping
- Unlawful imprisonment
- Risk of injury to a minor
She is being held in a Connecticut correctional facility. Her lawyer claims the accusations are “outlandish,” insisting she never locked up her stepson and provided “food and shelter.” However, police evidence—including the room’s bolt lock, medical reports, and the victim’s testimony—paints a darker picture.
Long-Term Impact on the Victim
The man now suffers from:
- Severe Malnutrition: Requiring long-term hospital care.
- Depression and PTSD: Diagnosed during treatment.
- Developmental Delays: Cognitive function similar to a teenager’s.
Doctors fear permanent damage to his organs and mobility due to decades of starvation.
Why Did No One Help Sooner?
Neighbors and authorities missed red flags:
- The DCF closed its case after two visits in the 2000s.
- Sullivan isolated the victim, threatening him into silence.
- The man’s biological father has not been mentioned in reports.
Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo called the case “heartbreaking” and praised investigators for their “relentless effort” to uncover the truth.
What Happens Next?
Sullivan awaits trial, while the victim remains hospitalized. Advocates are pushing for reforms in child welfare systems to prevent similar tragedies.
FAQs About the Case
How was the victim discovered?
Firefighters found him during a house fire he started to escape.
What charges does Kimberly Sullivan face?
Kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and risk of injury to a minor.
How long was the victim imprisoned?
20 years, from age 11 to 32.
Why didn’t he escape earlier?
He feared Sullivan’s threats and believed she had a gun.
What is cachexia?
A wasting syndrome causing extreme weight and muscle loss, often seen in terminal illnesses.
Did the victim attend school?
Yes, but he stopped after DCF’s visits.
What role did DCF play?
They investigated twice but didn’t follow up after he left school.
How did he start the fire?
With hand sanitizer, paper, and a lighter found in a coat pocket.
What is Sullivan’s defense?
Her lawyer denies all claims, saying she provided food and shelter.
Where is the victim now?
Receiving hospital treatment for malnutrition and PTSD.
Why wasn’t the father mentioned?
Police have not disclosed his role or whereabouts.
Could Sullivan face life in prison?
Kidnapping and assault charges could result in decades behind bars.
How did neighbors not notice?
Sullivan kept him hidden; he was only allowed outside for chores.
What happens to the victim’s health long-term?
Doctors worry about permanent organ damage and mobility issues.
How can similar cases be prevented?
Better follow-up by child services and community awareness.