Connecticut Man Sets Fire to Escape Alleged 20-Year Captivity
Waterbury Woman Charged with Kidnapping, Assault in Unbelievable Case of Abuse
By James Seidel | CC News Network
Waterbury, CT – A Connecticut man, reportedly locked away for nearly two decades, set fire to his home in a desperate attempt to escape his alleged captivity, abuse, and starvation at the hands of his stepmother.
According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim endured years of imprisonment, surviving on two sandwiches a day and limited water while being confined in a storage-like room with no access to the outside world.
His alleged captor, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested on March 13, 2024, and charged with assault, kidnapping, and cruelty to persons following an investigation by the Waterbury Police Department.
“Thirty-three years in law enforcement, and this is the worst treatment of humanity that I’ve ever witnessed,” Waterbury Police Chief Fred Spagnolo stated.
Connecticut Man
A Desperate Plan for Freedom
Authorities say the victim intentionally started the fire in his home on February 17, 2024, using printer paper as kindling, hand sanitizer as fuel, and a lighter he had found in an old jacket.
Emergency personnel responding to the blaze found Sullivan outside but had to assist the victim, who was suffering from smoke inhalation and burns.
When questioned, the man immediately confessed to setting the fire. His reason? He just wanted to be free.
A Life of Alleged Captivity and Starvation
In an arrest affidavit, the victim recounted years of abuse and imprisonment:
Limited food and water—only egg, tuna salad, or peanut butter sandwiches each day.
No formal education—removed from school in the fourth grade.
Forced isolation—locked inside his room for up to 24 hours a day.
No friends or social interactions—his last Halloween was at age 12, when he dressed as a firefighter.
Severe malnutrition—at 5’9”, he weighed only 70 pounds when found.
“I have been kept a secret my entire life,” he told police.
The only link to the outside world was a radio outside his room, which he used to track time and follow sports like NASCAR and University of Connecticut basketball.
Decades of Missed Opportunities to Intervene
Despite clear red flags, authorities failed to intervene:
In 2005, police twice visited the home after reports that local children hadn’t seen him in years.
State social workers conducted wellness checks in his childhood but found no evidence of abuse.
Concerned relatives were allegedly ignored, and one uncle was even pushed away after raising concerns.
The Connecticut Department of Children and Families has since expressed shock and regret, saying their records contain no evidence of prior substantiated reports.
“It got to a point where the only time I would ever be out of the house was to let the family dog outside for about one minute a day,” the victim recounted.
Sullivan Denies the Charges, Claims Innocence
Sullivan’s defense attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, insists she is falsely accused:
“He was not locked in a room. She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food. She provided shelter. She is blown away by these allegations.”
Sullivan has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed on a $300,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 26, 2024.
Connecticut Man/s Mother
Road to Recovery
Now in a medical facility, the victim faces a long battle of physical and mental rehabilitation.
“There’s a lot of physical therapy that he’ll have to go through,” Chief Spagnolo said. “There’s a lot of healing he’ll have to go through mentally.”
Moved by his story, Waterbury police officers personally collected donations to buy him clothes, books, and comfort items.
Final Thoughts
This horrifying case raises serious questions about child protection failures and why multiple red flags were ignored.
For nearly 20 years, a man lived in conditions worse than a prison cell, hidden in plain sight. It took a fire—literally—to bring his story to light.
Sullivan’s trial will determine her fate, but one thing is certain—this man’s journey to healing has only just begun.
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