CT - 32-year-old man held captive by stepmother Kimberly Sullivan since age 11, weighs 68 lbs, sets fire to home to escape, 17 Feb 2025 *Arrest*

[sds71]

A court-appointed conservator and an attorney for the victim are seeking to have the probate case sealed.


A CT Insider reporter objected to the request during a hearing this week in probate court, arguing the public has a vested interest in ensuring that judicial proceedings remain transparent, particularly in cases involving allegations of abuse, and it would limit oversight of the system meant to protect individuals in similar situations.
The probate file contained notices of hearings in the case and documents requesting a judge appointing a conservator.

A probate judge appointed the conservator at the request from staff at the Connecticut hospital where the victim has been rehabilitating…


The hospital wouldn't even allow the victim to be served for the purposes of Monday's probate court hearing. The hospital cited in the letter the "very special circumstances of the subject's patient's admission, including an extensive history of abuse, isolation and emotional trauma."

https://www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/article/waterbury-captive-kimberly-sullivan-probate-case-20237696.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawJSouNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbj_2Zw7m_k1dxXXVWAZBSET4YyzV1P4UB5m8XTDPh89NwI4OE-96icMyQ_aem_uE3B3C-cCMnG_jpLwGCNDQ

 

[Lilibet]

IMO


I'm not trying to jump to conclusions because I know it's easy for humans to accept what they're told. But he went to the trouble of hiring a PI.

Did they question the sisters? If so, what did they say? If not, why didn't they? Why hire a PI but not go to the police? Maybe they did go to the police.

Here's the thing that bothers me, and I think many of us. So many people from different areas of their lives knew something was wrong. Knew there was a problem.

Neighbors, school officials, sisters, police, a private investigator, multiple family members, child services. And yet this still happened.

No blame, but the reality is that no one pushed hard enough to the point that he would have been saved earlier. I'm just brainstorming to see how this happened and how it could've been prevented.

Lots of questions we may never have the answers to.


IMO

I hear you and I’m equally frustrated. We have this discussion on every one of these cases. I particularly remember the Hart Family who drove off a cliff into the ocean with their adopted kids rather than face CPS.

My point is that none of the entities or individuals who were concerned in this case had the legal right to enter the home and they didn’t have evidence to get a search warrant. Had someone pushed harder there is a possibility he would have been killed. We don’t know.

I wish all these cases like the Harts and the Turpins and this one could have been resolved sooner or totally prevented. The awful reality is that they can’t because (so far) we are a nation of legal protections like search warrants. I’m not complacent about these cases. But I don’t see viable preventions or rescues being possible in most of them that are this bad. Now my hope is for this young man to receive help so he can have a relatively normal and happy life.

JMO

 

[rleigh123]

[......]
The hospital wouldn't even allow the victim to be served for the purposes of Monday's probate court hearing. The hospital cited in the letter the "very special circumstances of the subject's patient's admission, including an extensive history of abuse, isolation and emotional trauma."

https://www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/article/waterbury-captive-kimberly-sullivan-probate-case-20237696.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawJSouNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbj_2Zw7m_k1dxXXVWAZBSET4YyzV1P4UB5m8XTDPh89NwI4OE-96icMyQ_aem_uE3B3C-cCMnG_jpLwGCNDQ

Clipped by me.
BBM
IMO


I'm not sure what this means. I think it's saying that he wasn't allowed to have the court papers informing him of the hearing. Is that correct?

I understand they're protecting him, and I can't make a judgment because I know so little about this.

However, I see a little bit of irony in their reasoning: the patient's history of isolation.



IMO

 

[appleatcha]

I'm not sure what this means. I think it's saying that he wasn't allowed to have the court papers informing him of the hearing. Is that correct?

Yes. More precisely, it means they wouldn't allow the process server in to see him.

MOO: I imagine his psychiatrist and/or hospital social workers will inform him of the hearing when he's sufficiently stable to have that conversation.

 

[sds71]

Judge places Waterbury captivity suspect Kimberly Sullivan under GPS monitoring but denies request for house arrest.
Lawyers also revealed that she was recently hospitalized for a mental health condition.
Prosecutors say they have learned new details for victim too.

Sullivan is expected to be back in court on April 22.

Defense Motion:

The motion argues, in part, that “imposing additional conditions of release without sufficient justification poses a serious threat to this presumption by suggesting, without evidence or cause, that the defendant has either engaged in misconduct or presents some increased risk.”

https://www.wtnh.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/100/2025/03/Supplemental-Memorandum-in-Support-of-Defendant.pdf

News 8 livestreamed the court proceeding. Watch it in the video player:

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/waterbury-woman-accused-of-kidnapping-stepson-expected-in-court-friday/

 

[tlcya]

a mental health condition huh. mmmkay. I guess this is where we all are supposed to feel sorry for this defendant? Not gonna happen.

I am more concerned with the mental health and wellbeing of her victim.

 

[Conelrad]

a mental health condition huh. mmmkay. I guess this is where we all are supposed to feel sorry for this defendant? Not gonna happen.

I am more concerned with the mental health and wellbeing of her victim.

It's probably becoming more and more obvious every day to the Defense that this woman's hope for a defense is dwindling, so they're probably sowing the seeds for some mental health plea or something down the line. That shyster lawyer of hers is a morally bankrupt attention hog, but even he must realize that he's bitten off more than he can chew with this broad.

 

[arielilane]

Woman accused of keeping stepson captive pleads not guilty

A stepmother accused of torturing her stepson for 20 years faced a judge for the second time in a week.

www.wfsb.com

Updated: 24 minutes ago



@WFSBnews


Attorney Ioannis Kaloidis talks about the court appearance of his client, Kimberly Sullivan, in #Waterbury. Sullivan is accused of holding her stepson captive for about 20 years.

Details from court:

https://wfsb.com/2025/03/27/stepmom-accused-keeping-stepson-captive-over-20-years-back-court-tomorrow/

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[sds71]

On Friday, the Department of Children and Families issued a statement saying they’ve found documents related to the Waterbury man who alleges he was held captive for decades…


They noted state regulations dictated reports of neglect and abuse found unsubstantiated after investigation are expunged after five years if there are no other substantiated reports.

However, on Friday they said they were able to locate records in a different search, this time of their Closed Records.


“We have met with the Waterbury Police Department and engaged in discussions with the Office of the Child Advocate to advise them of our actions and will provide them a copy of the records once we have completed our search and review of them. Several meetings have also been held with bipartisan Legislators,” DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly said.


After completing their assessment of the department prior involvement with the family, DCF plans to “be as transparent as possible” with the public, while also adhering to state and federal confidentiality laws.

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/dcf-finds-documents-related-to-alleged-waterbury-captive/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WTNH_News_8&fbclid=IwY2xjawJTxchleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXPrcLshunuUmW8rRlQ14L2DdlsKZEmV6jMlnmcOF04r52qYZnYAazGlwA_aem_Uvo7w2xvw0hXs2sVTAJvIg

 

[arielilane]

@DaveMagerNews


Saying alleged actions show “extreme indifference to human life,” judge adds GPS monitor to release conditions for #Waterbury stepmom Kimberly Sullivan. State argued she has significant incentive to flee. State says victim asked “Why is she out walking around?” NG plea entered.

10:31 AM · Mar 28, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Sullivan’s next court date is April 22.

 

[gremlin444]

I don't have much faith in GPS monitoring anymore--because as we keep finding out, they generally aren't actually being monitored. Boundaries with alert notifications either aren't set up or the alerts are ignored/aren't monitored.

 

[keek]

The feeling of despair and fear he felt as he watched the policemen that were sent to see him and the 'parents', to save him he hoped. Wasn't seen. Just wasn't seen by them and their scope of what they thought or felt was very incorrect. Bottom line.

 

[tlcya]

@DaveMagerNews


Saying alleged actions show “extreme indifference to human life,” judge adds GPS monitor to release conditions for #Waterbury stepmom Kimberly Sullivan. State argued she has significant incentive to flee. State says victim asked “Why is she out walking around?” NG plea entered.

View attachment 57452910:31 AM · Mar 28, 2025

why indeed

 

[keek]

I don't have much faith in GPS monitoring anymore--because as we keep finding out, they generally aren't actually being monitored. Boundaries with alert notifications either aren't set up or the alerts are ignored/aren't monitored.

She definitely should NOT be free. Wrong, very wrong morally at the least. He still feels that fear due to this, as he asked why should she be walking around.

 

[rleigh123]

[....]

https://wfsb.com/2025/03/27/stepmom-accused-keeping-stepson-captive-over-20-years-back-court-tomorrow/

[....]

Clipped by me.
IMO

From the linked article:
BBM

“This victim is afraid. This victim lives in fear,” the state’s attorney’s office said. “His first question in this fear is, ‘why is she out walking around when I was locked up in a room for 20 years?’”

Channel 3 asked Kaloidis about why he hasn’t offered explanations for the case.

“Because we don’t have to,” he said. “The way this works, the state has to prove those allegations. They’re just allegations on paper.”

Eyewitness news pressed him about the victim’s weight, teeth, and hair.

“There’s no need for us to do that,” Kaloidis said. “As much as everyone doesn’t like the idea, there’s still a presumption of innocence. And that has been eroded out here and I’m trying to protect it in there. [......]”



I'm almost seething. I understand and respect that defense attorneys have a job to do. But he's insulting towards the victim and dismissive of his suffering. And he sidesteps with such arrogance. I just can't with this guy.

I LOVE that the reporter mentioned the victim's "weight, teeth, and hair" after the atty said "They're just allegations on paper."

I don't know who said it but huge kudos to them.




IMO

 

[rleigh123]

I don't have much faith in GPS monitoring anymore--because as we keep finding out, they generally aren't actually being monitored. Boundaries with alert notifications either aren't set up or the alerts are ignored/aren't monitored.

IMO

Based on her past alleged actions, I could imagine her trying to find a way around this.

There's even a documentary about how useless ankle monitors are, and the human damage that's been caused by relying on this system that's literally and figuratively broken.

The insane irony of refusing to lock up a woman for keeping a child/adult locked up for 20+ years. SMH



ETA: The doc I saw was 20/20 S41 E38 but I noticed in searching that there are a couple others.




IMO

 

[Izzylizzy]

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[rleigh123]

It's probably becoming more and more obvious every day to the Defense that this woman's hope for a defense is dwindling, so they're probably sowing the seeds for some mental health plea or something down the line. That shyster lawyer of hers is a morally bankrupt attention hog, but even he must realize that he's bitten off more than he can chew with this broad.

BBM
IMO

Well said. Thank you, I needed that. I hear it in a southern accent. And I'm saying it with a southern accent. Might even add carpetbagger.

His comments about the victim's "allegations on paper" were reprehensible. Sure, tell the victim his allegations are merely on paper as he's laying in the hospital, starving, dehydrated, teeth rotting, unable to walk, and feeling abject fear.





IMO

 

[gremlin444]

IMO

Based on her past alleged actions, I could imagine her trying to find a way around this.

There's even a documentary about how useless ankle monitors are, and the human damage that's been caused by relying on this system that's literally and figuratively broken.

For a fairly recent utterly horrifying and heartbreaking example, look up Bricen Rivers and his victim Lauren Johansen. There's a thread on here.