Man held captive for 20 years asks prosecutors why stepmother is...

A Connecticut man has revealed to authorities that he was held captive by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, in their home for two decades. During a recent court hearing in Waterbury, state prosecutor Don Therkildsen Jr. expressed concern over the fact that Sullivan remains free while awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping and felony assault. The victim, who has been living in fear, questioned why Sullivan is not incarcerated, given the severity of his mistreatment.

Sullivan, 57, was arrested on March 12 and later posted $300,000 bail. She has denied allegations of keeping her stepson confined to a small room and providing him with minimal food and water, leading to him weighing just 69 pounds at the time of his rescue. The man, now 32 years old, reportedly set a fire in their home to escape his captivity, after being locked away for most of his days since he was around 11 years old. His father, who passed away last year, had occasionally allowed him out for more extended periods.

In court, Therkildsen requested that Sullivan be placed under house arrest, citing fears she may flee and highlighting the victim's traumatic experiences. Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, opposed this request, arguing that she has adhered to bail conditions and that imposing house arrest could endanger her due to threats made against her.

The victim's troubling situation had not gone unnoticed by local authorities or his former school. Education officials had raised concerns about his well-being in 2004, prompting intervention from state child welfare officials. However, it's unclear what measures were taken following these reports. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has acknowledged discovering some records regarding the family as they continue to investigate the case and the circumstances surrounding the victim's prolonged abuse.

As local and state authorities evaluate how the situation could persist undetected for so long, there are calls for stricter oversight of home-schooling practices. Despite previous visits by police that found no grounds for concern, the case highlights significant failures in safeguarding the victim’s welfare during his years of isolation.