A woman accused of keeping her stepson imprisoned in what authorities have described as a "house of horrors" for two decades has denied the allegations against her.
Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested earlier this week after her 32-year-old stepson escaped from their Waterbury, Connecticut, home by setting a fire.
When emergency responders arrived, they found him severely malnourished, and he told them he had been held captive since he was about 11 years old.
Sullivan now faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Despite the serious accusations, Sullivan has maintained her innocence.
Defense Attorney Calls Allegations "Outlandish"
Her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, dismissed the claims against her as false and shocking. He stated to NBC Connecticut that Sullivan never locked her stepson in a room and that the allegations were “absolutely not true.”
According to an affidavit, the victim described being confined to an 8-by-9-foot room and suffering prolonged neglect, starvation, and abuse. Some neighbors recalled seeing a "little boy" in a window years ago, unaware that the man had been trapped inside for decades.
However, Kaloidis argued that Sullivan had always provided food and shelter for her stepson and was deeply shocked by the accusations. He claimed her late husband, who passed away in January 2024, had dictated how his son was raised.
Kaloidis emphasized that the case relied heavily on the alleged victim’s statements, adding, “We look forward to being able to vindicate her and show that she’s done nothing wrong.”
Police Describe Years of Neglect and Isolation
Authorities, however, have painted a much darker picture of the situation inside the house. Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described it as “one of the worst acts of inhumanity” he has encountered.
According to investigators, the man was kept under strict control, allegedly threatened with further isolation or food deprivation if he tried to tell anyone about his situation. After his father’s death, Sullivan reportedly reduced his meals to two sandwiches and small bottles of water each day.
An affidavit described the victim as “mentally conditioned” by his stepmother, fearing the consequences of seeking help. Police also noted that a relative had raised concerns in the past after seeing the stepson looking severely underweight during a Christmas visit. However, Sullivan allegedly intervened to prevent further contact.
Investigation Continues
Sullivan is currently being held on bond and is expected to appear in court on March 26.
Meanwhile, investigators are working to piece together the full extent of what happened inside the home. State officials have also been reviewing past interactions with the family, including a 2005 assessment of a homeschooling plan that had been deemed acceptable at the time.
As the case moves forward, prosecutors are expected to present more evidence supporting the victim’s allegations, while Sullivan’s defense team prepares to challenge the claims.