Man held captive for 20 years asks prosecutors why stepmother is free after being charged
A Connecticut man has expressed his confusion and frustration over why his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, is not in custody despite being charged with crimes related to his alleged two-decade captivity in their home. At a recent court hearing, state prosecutor Don Therkildsen highlighted the victim's fears, noting that he questioned why Sullivan was free while he had been confined to a small room for 20 years. Sullivan, 57, pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping and felony assault and is currently on electronic monitoring after posting bail.
The victim was rescued after setting a fire in the home in an attempt to escape. He was found emaciated and weighing only 69 pounds, having been kept in isolation since he was about 11 years old. Conditions in his confinement were dire, with limited access to food and water. His father, Kregg Sullivan, allowed him some freedom before he passed away last year, but the primary caretaker has been his stepmother.
Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, contested the request for house arrest, arguing that she has followed all bail conditions and stating that threats against her could arise from such confinement. The prosecution, however, stressed the victim's continuous fear and the overall seriousness of the situation.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man's prolonged abuse, especially the gaps in oversight from the education and child welfare systems. The victim had been withdrawn from public school in 2004 and was reportedly to be home-schooled, but allegations of his deteriorating health had been raised by educators concerned about his extreme thinness.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) claimed they had no records regarding the family but recently discovered some documents that they are reviewing. As investigations continue, local officials are calling for stricter regulations on home-schooling to prevent such abuses from occurring again.