Man held captive for 20 years asks prosecutors why stepmother is free after being charged

A Connecticut man, who reported being held captive in his home for two decades, expressed concern over the status of his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, who has been charged with various crimes, including cruelty and kidnapping. During a recent court hearing, state prosecutor Don Therkildsen highlighted the man's fear, questioning why Sullivan was free after allegedly keeping him confined since he was a boy. Sullivan, 57, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was placed on electronic monitoring after posting $300,000 bail.

The victim, now 32 years old, was rescued after setting a fire in an attempt to escape. When rescued, he weighed only 69 pounds and recounted being locked in a small room with minimal access to food and water for most of the day since he was approximately 11 years old. He indicated that efforts were made to limit his interactions with the outside world, pointing to a troubling history of neglect.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, contested the request for house arrest, asserting that she had complied with bail conditions and raised concerns about her safety due to threats made against her. Kaloidis argued that confining her would put her in further danger, emphasizing the need to consider her well-being alongside the severity of the charges.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man's captivity have revealed a concerning oversight by state agencies. The victim was unenrolled from school in 2004, and prior complaints were made about his health to the authorities, including the Department of Children and Families (DCF). However, it remains unclear what actions were taken and whether adequate follow-up occurred.

In light of these revelations, both state and local officials are examining the case closely. There are calls for stricter regulations concerning homeschooling and oversight of child welfare, as new records regarding the Sullivan family have been located by DCF and are under review for further investigation. The situation has raised pressing questions about accountability and whether such cases can be prevented in the future.