More than $112,000 raised for Conn. man kept in stepmom’s house of horrors for 20 years
The horrifying case of a 32-year-old man who was allegedly held captive in his stepmother’s Connecticut home for over two decades has sparked a wave of support and donations. A fundraiser organized by Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury has already raised more than $112,000 out of the $120,000 goal. The funds will be utilized to cover the victim’s medical and dental expenses, counseling and therapy for emotional and physical recovery, housing, living expenses, and legal fees as he seeks justice for the abuse he endured.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, shared harrowing details of his captivity, revealing that he was confined to a 9-by-8-foot storage space in the rundown Waterbury residence. Deprived of food and water, he resorted to scavenging from garbage cans and drinking toilet water to survive, resulting in his skeletal appearance at just 69 pounds. Witnesses likened his emaciated state to that of a concentration camp survivor.
Law enforcement officials investigating the case described the treatment inflicted on the man as “the worst treatment of humanity” they had ever witnessed. The victim’s opportunity for escape came on February 17 when he orchestrated a fire using household items found in his late father’s belongings. Rescued by the fire department, the malnourished man was treated for smoke inhalation.
Further investigation revealed a room in the house with exterior locks on the door where the victim had reportedly been held since the age of 11. His stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Despite the serious allegations against her, Sullivan was released on $300,000 bail and intends to plead not guilty at her upcoming court appearance. The community’s outpouring of support through donations to the fundraiser serves as a beacon of hope for the victim as he embarks on his journey towards healing, justice, and a new beginning.
