A woman from Connecticut was arrested recently after her stepson claimed he set their house on fire to escape years of abuse. The stepson, who is 32 years old, told police that he had been held captive by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, since he was just 11 years old.
Sullivan, aged 56, was taken into custody on March 12. According to the Waterbury Police, her stepson described a life of harassment, neglect, and mistreatment for over two decades. Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo expressed deep concern about the suffering the victim faced, stating the details of the case are shocking and required thorough investigation.
The incident, which occurred on February 17, escalated when the stepson set fire to his room, hoping for a way out. He reportedly told responders, “I wanted my freedom.” The young man was found in terrible physical condition and had not received proper medical care for years.
Following the stepson’s father’s death last year, the situation deteriorated further, leading him to make desperate choices. In court, prosecutors revealed that he had resorted to lighting the fire with common household items, knowing it could be dangerous, but feeling he had little other choice after being confined for so long. At the time of his rescue, he weighed only 68 pounds and had been out of school since the fourth grade.
Sullivan faces several serious charges, including first-degree assault and second-degree kidnapping. Her attorney has denied the allegations, calling them outrageous, and insists that they will prove her innocence. Sullivan’s bail has been set at $300,000, and she will be held in custody pending further legal proceedings.
