Man, who was held captive in Waterbury home for 20 years releases first public statement

The man, who is calling himself “S” to protect his identity, is speaking out in through the nonprofit organization, “Survivors Say,” and also thanking the people who are helping him recover.

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Man, who was held captive in Waterbury home for 20 years releases first public statement

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Bodycam in Connecticut house of horrors shows suspect after stepson's fiery escape

Conservator for Waterbury man held captive for decades wants case file sealed

New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury

Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call

Sister of man held captive by stepmom for 21 years speaks out | Banfield

Heather Tessman, half-sister of the 69-pound man known as "Male Victim One," joined NewsNation to discuss his case. She last saw him as an infant and searched for him — until a month ago, when she saw news reports of his escape from a Connecticut house fire. The 32-year-old victim says he was held captive for 21 years, enduring torment since age 11. Tessman, placed in foster care and later adopted, lived a normal life just 15 minutes away. Stepmother Kimberly Sullivan faces kidnapping and assault charges but is free on $300,000 bail.

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Sister of man held captive by stepmom for 21 years speaks out | Banfield 

Bodycam in Connecticut house of horrors shows suspect after stepson's fiery escape

Kimberly Sullivan allegedly held her stepson in captivity for 20 years in Waterbury, Connecticut

By Peter D'Abrosca

Police question Kimberly Sullivan at scene of fire

Kimberly Sullivan tells police her stepson, whom she allegedly locked in a storage closet for 20 years, was free to leave the room as he pleased. (Courtesy: Waterbury Police Department)

Bodycam footage from the Waterbury Police Department shows suspected Connecticut child abuser Kimberly Sullivan denying that her stepson, who was allegedly locked in a storage closet in their home for 20 years, was imprisoned in the house. 

According to the footage obtained by Fox News Digital, one of Sullivan's two daughters arrived at the scene shortly after authorities on Feb. 17, when police said her 32-year-old stepson set fire in the house to escape decades of captivity and abuse.

Sullivan's daughter picked her up in a black Acura, where they waited nearby as firefighters extinguished the blaze, and as Sullivan's unnamed stepson was rescued from the home.

In the footage, which is partially redacted, Sullivan, 56, explains to an officer what happened after the fire started. 

‘MALNOURISHED’ MAN HELD CAPTIVE BY STEPMOM FOR DECADES SET FIRE TO HOME TO ESCAPE: ‘I WANTED MY FREEDOM’

Kimberly Sullivan was arrested after allegedly abusing her stepson in their Waterbury, Connecticut home. (Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

She said that she thought the fire started from a TV her stepson plugged into the wall, and said that she came out of her bedroom when she smelled smoke and called out for him.   

"I was trying to go into the room but it was just – there were just flames – he came out of the room, eventually woke up and came out of the room," she said. 

Sullivan said that her son couldn't escape the room because there were flames, but that he must have walked through them eventually.  

"Was the door locked on his room, or no?" the officer asked. 

"No," Sullivan replied.

"OK, is it normally locked?" he asked.

"No," she answered. 

"And he has free rein to go out of there whenever he wants?" the detective asked. 

"Yeah," Sullivan said. 

But police allege that Sullivan was lying during that exchange.

This photo provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows Kimberly Sullivan, who was charged Wednesday, March 12, 2025, with kidnapping and cruelty for allegedly holding her 32-year-old stepson captive for more than 20 years.  (Waterbury Police Department via AP)

Sullivan was arrested on March 12 and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment. She is free on $300,000 bond, and pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday. 

According to an arrest warrant for Sullivan, the victim, identified as "Male Victim 1," was held in a windowless 8-foot by 9-foot storage closet with no air conditioning or heat and without access to a bathroom for 20 years. He was kept inside the closet 22-24 hours per day.

He was allowed two sandwiches and two small water bottles each day, one of which he would use for bathing. He disposed of his waste using water bottles and newspaper. The man weighed less than 70 pounds when first responders found him after the fire.

That warrant also says that Sullivan's stepson told them he set the fire on purpose, because he wanted his freedom.

Kimberly Sullivan is taken into custody by the Waterbury Police Department on March 12. (Waterbury Police Department)

Fox News Digital also obtained Sullivan's distraught 911 call reporting that her house was on fire.

LISTEN: Kimberly Sullivan calls 911 to report house fire

 More bodycam footage shows a police officer arriving to the scene and yelling at an unidentified person through a window, telling the person to exit the home. 

WATCH: Waterbury officer yells at person to exit burning home

In a heavily redacted portion of the bodycam footage, police officers can be seen standing outside the ambulance looking in at the victim, who is blurred and being tended to by a paramedic. When audio reemerges from the redaction, one officer tells another that the victim said he hadn't showered in a year. 

WATCH: Kimberly Sullivan’s stepson interviewed by police in ambulance

Another video shows a frantic Sullivan asking to go back into the house to retrieve her purse and her keys, so she can put her dog inside her car.

WATCH: Kimberly Sullivan frantically asks to retrieve purse from burning home

Police previously released footage showing Sullivan's stepson being carried out of the home and into an ambulance. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Sullivan's attorney Ioannis Kaloidis through a spokesperson.

Full Article & Source:
Bodycam in Connecticut house of horrors shows suspect after stepson's fiery escape

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Conservator for Waterbury man held captive for decades wants case file sealed

New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury

Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call

Conservator for Waterbury man held captive for decades wants case file sealed

By Bruno Matarazzo Jr.

WATERBURY — A probate judge will consider arguments to seal a file involving the 32-year-old man police said was held captive by his stepmother for more than 20 years.   

A court-appointed conservator and an attorney for the victim are seeking to have the probate case sealed.

A CT Insider reporter objected to the request during a hearing this week in probate court, arguing the public has a vested interest in ensuring that judicial proceedings remain transparent, particularly in cases involving allegations of abuse, and it would limit oversight of the system meant to protect individuals in similar situations. 

The probate file contained notices of hearings in the case and documents requesting a judge appointing a conservator. 

The judge on Monday sealed the file temporarily until April 7 when he is expected to issue a final ruling. 

A probate judge appointed the conservator at the request from staff at the Connecticut hospital where the victim has been rehabilitating since police say he set fire to his room at a Blake Street house in February in a bid for freedom. CT Insider is withholding the name of the facility to protect the victim's privacy.

The man's stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, has been charged in connection with his captivity, which police say began when he was 11 years old.

Sullivan is charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to a person, first-degree unlawful restraint and first-degree reckless endangerment. She is free on $300,000 bail and is not allowed to have any contact with her stepson.

Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, said his client denies the allegations.

The victim has been under tight security at the Connecticut facility, which has not permitted access to him to "protect this very fragile patient," according to a letter by the hospital's attorney. CT Insider reviewed the letter before the judge temporarily sealed the probate file on Monday.

The hospital wouldn't even allow the victim to be served for the purposes of Monday's probate court hearing. The hospital cited in the letter the "very special circumstances of the subject's patient's admission, including an extensive history of abuse, isolation and emotional trauma."

The victim described to police years of forced isolation, limited to two sandwiches and two small bottles of water a day, according to the warrant for Sullivan's arrest. The room, approximately 9 feet by 8 feet, had an exterior slide lock, reinforced plywood and no bathroom access, the warrant said. Investigators found evidence supporting the man's claims, including remnants of the locked door and makeshift waste disposal methods he was forced to use, according to the warrant. 

When firefighters responded to the February blaze at the home, they found the victim emaciated, weighing just 68 pounds at 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with severe muscle atrophy and decayed teeth, according to the warrant. 

Medical reports confirmed he suffered from extreme malnutrition and had not received any documented medical treatment since childhood, the warrant said. His body mass index was recorded at 11, significantly below the threshold for starvation, according to the warrant.

Full Article & Source:
Conservator for Waterbury man held captive for decades wants case file sealed

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New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury

Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call

Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call

Witness the harrowing 911 call of Kimberly Sullivan, a stepson's captivity horror that will leave you shaken to the core. With a shocking testimony that's reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw level terror, the son recounts his emotional survival story of true crime and victim testimony. This crime documentary real story is not for the faint of heart, but for true crime fanatics, it's a must-listen. In the face of harrowing experiences is a testament to the human spirit, Kimberley's 911 call to action will leave you wanting more. So, buckle up and get ready for a true crime story that will haunt you long after the call ends.

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Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call 

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New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury 

New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury

After a man was found emaciated inside a home in Waterbury, telling police he was locked in a room for decades, his stepmom was back in court Thursday. She posted bond and is now walking free.

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New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury