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

WATERBURY, Conn. -- A Connecticut man who claimed his stepmother held him captive in their home for two decades has raised questions about why she remains free while awaiting trial. During a recent court hearing for Kimberly Sullivan, who pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping and felony assault, state prosecutor Don Therkildsen expressed concerns for the victim's safety, noting that he lives in fear and is bewildered by Sullivan's freedom. Therkildsen highlighted the urgency of the situation, urging for her to be placed under house arrest after she posted $300,000 bail.

Sullivan, 57, faces serious allegations, including restricting her stepson's food and water intake, which led to him being rescued in an emaciated state weighing only 69 pounds. According to police, the man, now 32, had been held in a small room for most of his life since he was around 11 years old, only briefly allowed out to perform chores. Efforts for his escape culminated in a fire he set in the house on February 17, prompting his rescue by firefighters.

Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, opposed the house arrest request, highlighting that she has adhered to all bail conditions and suggesting that house arrest would expose her to threats. The case has drawn attention to failures in the system, as previous complaints about the man's welfare were reported to state agencies, yet he remained out of sight and out of school since 2004.

Authorities have started looking into lapses in oversight that allowed the alleged abuse to go unnoticed. Reports indicate that the victim had been flagged by educators concerned about his health, but it remains unclear what actions social services took in response. The man revealed that he was coerced by Sullivan into lying to authorities about his situation.

As the investigation continues, the state Department of Children and Families has begun reviewing previously untraceable records related to the family. This ongoing examination could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and potential failures in child welfare oversight that allowed it to persist for years.