A woman from Connecticut, Kimberly Sullivan, is facing serious accusations after allegedly keeping her stepson locked in a room for over 20 years. Sullivan, who is 56 years old, is now out of custody after posting a bail of $300,000. This decision came during a court appearance at the Waterbury Superior Court.
The prosecution suggested that Sullivan should be placed on house arrest or required to wear an electronic monitoring device if she was released on bail. However, the judge did not impose these conditions. Sullivan will need to check in regularly with the authorities while out on bail, and her next court date is set for March 26.
Sullivan’s arrest followed a police investigation resulting from serious charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, and cruelty to persons. It is reported that her stepson was confined in a room at their home in Waterbury for an extended period.
Now 32 years old, the stepson reportedly escaped by setting a small fire in his bedroom using a lighter and some hand sanitizer. According to police documents, he explained that his stepmother began locking him in his room for long hours after he was taken out of school at age 11.
The young man claimed that his father and stepmother decided to withdraw him from school following multiple complaints to the Department of Children and Families regarding his behavior. When he was eventually found, he was hospitalized, weighing only 68 pounds, and stated he had not showered for nearly two years. He also mentioned that for about ten years, he had managed only two sandwiches a day for food.
Questions have been raised about whether authorities had done enough to protect the victim. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo noted that officers had last visited the boy’s home in 2005 for a welfare check at the request of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly stated that there were no records related to this family, pointing out that unsubstantiated records are destroyed after five years.
Through her attorney, Sullivan continues to assert her innocence, urging the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions. Her lawyer emphasized that she intends to fight these allegations vigorously and is confident in her eventual vindication.
