Connecticut woman accused of torturing stepson blames late hubby — while lawyer says vic ‘could have just walked away’

The Connecticut woman accused of torturing her emaciated stepson and holding him captive for decades is now pointing fingers at her late husband for the horrific abuse, while her lawyer insists that the victim had the opportunity to leave at any time.

Kimberly Sullivan’s lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, denied claims that the victim was locked up, stating that he was able to leave the house daily to complete chores like taking out the trash. Kaloidis emphasized that the stepson could have walked away if he wanted to, despite reports from authorities who described the abuse as one of the worst cases they had encountered.

Sullivan, 56, through her lawyer, attributed the decisions regarding the upbringing of her now 32-year-old stepson to his late father, Kregg Sullivan. However, the victim has claimed that the abuse only worsened after his father’s passing last year.

Kaloidis defended Sullivan by stating, “The father dictated how the child would be raised,” and refuted allegations that she was solely responsible for the abuse. He emphasized that Kimberly did not have control over whether the victim attended school or other aspects of his life.

Contrary to Sullivan’s claims, the victim told authorities that his father allowed him out of a locked room when Sullivan and her daughters were not home. The victim, who weighed just 68 pounds when he was rescued after starting a fire to escape, recounted years of torment, including being confined to a small storage space, deprived of food and water, and forced to drink from a toilet and eat from a garbage can to survive.

While Kaloidis disputed the living conditions described in the warrant, he acknowledged that Sullivan encouraged the victim to take care of himself but could not force a 32-year-old man to do so. The victim also alleged that his captivity became more restrictive after his father’s death, with threats of prolonged lockdowns and food deprivation preventing him from seeking help.

Despite the harrowing ordeal, the victim is said to be in good spirits and on the path to recovery, according to Waterbury police Detective Steven Brownell. Brownell commended the victim’s resilience and positive attitude, noting that he is grateful for the support he has received.

As Kimberly Sullivan remains free on bail, her lawyer expressed uncertainty about who posted the bail and her current whereabouts. The case continues to unfold as investigators delve deeper into the shocking allegations of long-term abuse and captivity.