Mom's Heartbreaking Plea After Son Escapes 20-Year Captivity by Stepmom

A Connecticut mother is grateful to have found her son after years of searching.

A month following the harrowing event where a 32-year-old man set his house ablaze to flee from years of alleged imprisonment by his stepmother, spanning over two decades, I, his biological mother, admire his unyielding spirit and resilience.

In an interview with NBC Connecticut on March 17th, the anonymous mother expressed her affection, saying, “I adore him. He’s incredibly strong, and I’m immensely proud of his actions. If only he had taken those steps earlier.

For many years, the 52-year-old woman has been looking for her son who lived with his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, after the passing of his father. Alongside her half-sister, she had been on this search. While she admitted to giving up custody of the unnamed man during his childhood, she emphasized that she always wanted to be involved in his life. However, despite her efforts, neither the boy’s father nor Kimberly Sullivan allowed it.

She wondered if Sullivan, who authorities stated during a press conference on March 13 had been keeping a man imprisoned since he was around 11 years old, was exerting control over his father in this situation.

In regards to everyone living in that house, it was stated that they should all be arrested. The victim’s mother further emphasized that the perpetrator specifically should be sentenced to live out the remainder of her life in isolation, only receiving two cups of water daily.

She particularly stressed to NBC Connecticut that her son, standing at 5-foot-9 but weighing merely 68 pounds when rescued from the fire by emergency personnel, is cherished by “family members on both sides who have been diligently searching for him.

On February 17th, both the Waterbury Police Department and Fire Department attended a house fire. Inside the burning home were two individuals. According to a Facebook post on March 12th, after being saved from the blaze, one of the victims confessed to setting the fire, stating “I desired my liberty.

Investigators concluded that the victim had spent more than two decades as a captive, suffering persistent cruelty, deprivation, appalling neglect, and inhumane treatment. The police department went on to state that he was discovered in a critically undernourished state, having received neither medical nor dental care during this period. Further investigation revealed that the victim’s sustenance consisted of meager rations, which contributed to his severely malnourished condition.

Previously saved from a fire, Sullivan has been indicted for first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty towards individuals, and reckless endangerment in the first degree. Her bail is set at $300,000, with her court date scheduled for March 26.

Ioannis Kaloidis, representing Sullivan, firmly declared Sullivan’s non-guilt and dismissed all claims made against her.

Kaloidis said to NBC Connecticut, ‘What he’s saying is completely false.’ He clarified that the individual was never confined in a room and wasn’t restricted at all. Instead, they offered him meals and a place to stay. Kaloidis was amazed by these accusations.

I firmly believe, as more truth unfolds, you’ll come to understand that she’s not the ‘villain’ the media portrays. No way!

At the same time, the victim’s younger brother’s half-sibling revealed details about their family’s prolonged efforts over the years to locate him.

She shared with NBC Connecticut that “I’ve long been aware of his existence, and I’ve always harbored feelings for him. For years, I’ve been on a quest to locate him. This search has lasted over a decade. I had planned to wait until he turned 18 before reaching out. Now, I’m nearly 35 years old. There was no social media, no court records available back then.

2025-03-19 23:17

Mom’s Heartbreaking Plea After Son Escapes 20-Year Captivity by Stepmom

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