A 32-year-old Connecticut man has broken his silence after allegedly enduring two decades of captivity, starvation, and abuse at the hands of his stepmother in what authorities have dubbed a true-life "house of horrors".
The man - known only as "S" - weighed just 68 pounds when first responders pulled him from a burning home in Waterbury on February 17.
He has now released a powerful and emotional public statement this week. It marks the first time the survivor has spoken out since his dramatic rescue — a rescue he initiated by setting fire to the room he says he was locked in for over 20 years.
"Please call me ‘S,’" he began in the statement, which was released by David Guarino of Survivors Say and obtained by News 8. "This is not the name given to me by my parents when I was born. I am choosing a new name for myself, and I will use that name as I reclaim control over my life and my future. My name is my choice, and it is the first of many choices I will make for myself now that I am free.
"I am a survivor of more than 20 years of captivity and domestic abuse. I was held prisoner in my home from the time I was taken out of the fourth grade at age 11 until two months ago at age 31 when I purposely set the fire that helped set me free.
"I am speaking out today to begin the process of reclaiming my life and to have my say in how my story is told.
"I am much better and stronger than I was the day the first responders carried me out of my home. I am beyond grateful for the care I have received since then. To all the health care professionals who have helped and nurtured me, thank you. In addition to all of your care, I appreciated the chance to have my first ever birthday party to celebrate turning 32.
"I also want to thank the first responders, the law enforcement investigators and everyone who is working to hold those responsible for my abuse accountable. Thank you to everyone at Safe Haven Waterbury and everyone who has given to the GoFundMe page that will help cover some of the overwhelming expenses I will face in the weeks, months and years to come.
"I am grateful to the conservator and my attorney, who will help guide me through the legal process ahead. They have been invaluable to me, and I am grateful for their tireless support.
"Much has already been said that tells part of the story of the abuse I endured. Someday, perhaps my whole story will be told.
"I ask everyone involved in my story to fully cooperate with the authorities who are helping me seek justice for these crimes. I also ask the public and the media to respect those investigations and my privacy as this process plays out. This isn’t just a story. It’s my life.
"Thank you all for your thoughts and messages, your support and your continued prayers as I recover. Please forward any inquiries about my recovery, requests for information or interviews, or the process ahead to David Guarino at Survivors Say, who has volunteered to serve as my spokesman.
"Thank you."
According to police, S was locked away in an 8-by-9-foot back room in his family home since age 11, after his stepmother, 57-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, allegedly pulled him out of school. Investigators say Sullivan forced him to live in squalid conditions, offering minimal food and water while denying him access to basic hygiene, dental, or medical care.
When he was finally rescued, S was found to be severely emaciated and dehydrated, telling officers he had survived by drinking from the toilet and chewing through meager rations that sometimes caused his teeth to break.
Prosecutors revealed that S was allowed out of his tiny room only 15 to 120 minutes per day to perform chores. His water ration was sometimes withheld for bathing purposes, and instead of a bathroom, he was forced to use a series of straws that led to a hole in the wall to dispose of waste.
Authorities believe the already grim conditions worsened after the death of his biological father in 2024. In a final desperate act of survival, S set his room on fire — an act he later told police was done to gain his “freedom.”
The haunting moment of his rescue was captured on bodycam footage. As firefighters arrived, Sullivan was heard telling officers her “dog is shaking” and that her stepson was inside. As emergency crews entered the home, S was carried out, limp and barely conscious.
Police say the evidence paints a horrifying picture of long-term abuse. Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges including assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. She was released from jail after posting a $300,000 bond.
She was also ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device.
When learning of the judge's decision, S's Supervisory Assistant State Attorney Don Therkildsen Jr. revealed that her stepson heartbreakingly questioned: "Why is she out walking around when I was locked up in a room for 20 years?"
S’s biological mother, speaking anonymously to local media, expressed anguish over her son’s ordeal and called for Sullivan to be locked up in solitary confinement for the rest of her life.
"It's just disgusting that she's allowed to be on the streets right now," she said. ABC7 reported that the biological mom had not seen her son since he was six months old after relinquishing custody.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the case as "heartbreaking and unimaginable."
“The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable. This case required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes,” Spagnolo said.
As the legal battle begins and the investigation continues, S’s message is one of strength, healing, and hope. He is finally free — and finally reclaiming the life that was taken from him.