Photo: Waterbury Police Department
A 32-year-old man was rescued from a home in Waterbury, Connecticut, after enduring over 20 years of captivity and neglect, police said. The man, who weighed less than 70 pounds, set a fire in his room on February 17 in an effort to escape. He told first responders, "I wanted my freedom," according to the police.
The man's stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, faces charges including kidnapping, unlawful restraint, and cruelty. She was arraigned on Wednesday (March 12) and held on a $300,000 bond. Authorities described the man's conditions as "heartbreaking and unimaginable," likening his appearance to that of a survivor of Auschwitz.
The man had been held captive since he was about 11 years old, enduring prolonged abuse and severe neglect. He had not received medical or dental care during his captivity, and his living conditions were described as inhumane.
Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, stated that his client was "stunned to hear the allegations" and denied the accusations.
"What she indicated to me was that they were absolutely not true," Kaloidis said, adding that they plan to mount a vigorous defense.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are gathering more information about the case.