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*

[DS2021]

The biological mother of a man who was supposedly held captive by his stepmother in Waterbury for about 20 years released a statement.

The mother did not want to be identified.

However, The New York Post identified her as a 52-year-old woman from Meriden.

She said in a statement she gave up custody of her son when he was 6-months-old.


“Thirty two years ago, due to personal reasons, and for the full benefit of my son, I made the gut wrenching decision to give full custody to my ex-husband. This was the most painful, emotional decision any mother can make, but I thought he would have a better life. In retrospect, this did not come to pass. For the last 30 years my family and I have searched for him to reconnect only to be turned away and shut out.

The last few days have been so shocking, disturbing and disgusting to seem true. I hope and pray we can all begin to heal and helping my son to lead a full happy loving life. I know deep in my heart I have always been there for him and always will. Please grant us the time, peace and respect as we try to cope with this tragic situation.”

Victim's mother

Biological mother of Waterbury captivity victim provides statement

The biological mother of a man who was supposedly held captive by his stepmother in Waterbury for about 20 years released a statement.

www.wfsb.com

I believe her

 

[tlcya]

I believe her

meh, I don't believe or disbelieve her. Her comments about how traumatized SHE was by this case rubbed me the wrong way but that is because I am just livid at any adult who may have known about the young man's abuse and done nothing.

If she truly has been non custodial and out of his life since an infant I can't blame her for not knowing.

 

[Izzylizzy]

I believe her

She gave the ex full custody so I gather she had no visitation rights if she and her family were refused seeing her son.

 

[Izzylizzy]

fond of her filters and herself MOO

No fillers just photos from 30 yrs ago.
imo

 

[keek]

No fillers just photos from 30 yrs ago.
imo

Filters. Like 19 yr. old's do. Which again, why didn't any of those daughters just give her a shove and GET the authorities in there. They needed to use their long adult age brains. Nope.

 

[tlcya]

No fillers just photos from 30 yrs ago.
imo

I see clear evidence of her use of fiLTers, not fillers I think the photos are pretty current just not accurate depictions of her true appearance. I spotted several popular snapchat filters used in her pics.

 

[Izzylizzy]

I see clear evidence of her use of fiLTers, not fillers I think the photos are pretty current just not accurate depictions of her true appearance. I spotted several popular snapchat filters used in her pics.

lol!
Where can I purchase those filters?

 

[keek]

I see clear evidence of her use of fiLTers, not fillers I think the photos are pretty current just not accurate depictions of her true appearance. I spotted several popular snapchat filters used in her pics.

Yes, hideous mentality.

 

[keek]

Phone camera, filters are on there for photos, selfies then posted on her FB. You do not want those filters. haha.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Phone camera, filters are on there for photos, selfies then posted on her FB. You do not want those filters. haha.

Her attorney Ioannis A. Kaloidis tells Daily Mail that it was her late husband, the boy's father Kregg, who made the 'decisions' about his life.

She insists she encouraged better personal hygiene but 'couldn't force' him to wash, and says she was 'aware' of his weight - a startling 68lbs - but wasn't responsible for it.

Kregg Sullivan died in January last year.

Obituaries refer to him being a beloved father of three children, but no record of the son exists in any official database.
'House of horrors' stepmom makes more shocking claims about son

wish they'd linked the obituary because I've been looking for it. Found his brother K's the other day but not Kregg's. All the boys in the family were apparently named K names.
---------------------------
“Ultimately it was the father which dictated the manner in which his son was raised and my client was only carrying out his orders,” Kaloidis said.
[snip]
Sullivan is due back in court on March 26
'He Was in Control': Father of Man Claiming Stepmom Held Him Captive Made Decisions About His Son's Care, Claims Her Lawyer

this defense isn't going to fly unless the defense wants to explain how that control was exercised and enforced from the grave.

Another perfect example of when a defense lawyer should just shut the hell up.

 

[Izzylizzy]

What was her end game? Did she assume this would keep up till he died, yes. How else could she keep it her sick secret from the world around her. She would have her daughters help roll him up in a large rug, dispose. Never existed. She hung around the front of the house till the fireman told her to move along away. Controlling she thought, the situation still with him. No more facebook filter selfies for her, no more shopping excursions and outdoor days hopefully asap. The daughters did not live there, all it would take is come with me officer, firefighter, ANYONE, who WOULD DO something, while mother not home. Unlock his door, show the world, get him help.. they did NOT do that. They lived outside, the one had a b.f., did HE know? Doubt it.

IMO:
If he had died and she called 911 an autopsy would show his neglect and tragic condition so I gather she would be investigated.
A back yard burial comes to mind.
I do hope that LE doesn't drop the ball drop on family who knew how he was being neglected and tortured for 20 yrs.
They have been known to do that and give enablers a pass.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Bitter sweet but hopefully he's buying anything and everything that he's been denied throughout his tortured life that he desires.
I just looked and almost $90,000 has been raised for him.


"The man’s story has captured hearts around the country and people have donated tens of thousands of dollars to help him."

Video shows rescue of man who told police stepmom held him captive for 20 years

NBC Connecticut obtained video of police rescuing a man who said his stepmother had held him captive inside their home for 20 years.

www.nbcconnecticut.com

 

[angkg]

The biological mother of a man who was supposedly held captive by his stepmother in Waterbury for about 20 years released a statement.

The mother did not want to be identified.

However, The New York Post identified her as a 52-year-old woman from Meriden.

She said in a statement she gave up custody of her son when he was 6-months-old.


“Thirty two years ago, due to personal reasons, and for the full benefit of my son, I made the gut wrenching decision to give full custody to my ex-husband. This was the most painful, emotional decision any mother can make, but I thought he would have a better life. In retrospect, this did not come to pass. For the last 30 years my family and I have searched for him to reconnect only to be turned away and shut out.

The last few days have been so shocking, disturbing and disgusting to seem true. I hope and pray we can all begin to heal and helping my son to lead a full happy loving life. I know deep in my heart I have always been there for him and always will. Please grant us the time, peace and respect as we try to cope with this tragic situation.”

Victim's mother

Biological mother of Waterbury captivity victim provides statement

The biological mother of a man who was supposedly held captive by his stepmother in Waterbury for about 20 years released a statement.

www.wfsb.com

I feel sorry for this woman. How is this any different than any woman who gives her child up for adoption? Yes, her ex-husband retained custody, but she gave away her rights. It doesn't mean that she didn't love him. She probably loved him more and thought he would have a better life. Perhaps she didn't have any way to support him - or was in the throws of addiction. I believe that women who give up their child for adoption often do so out of love. So, seeing her son now, and how he was cruelly tortured for years, has very likely traumatized her dramatically. She is also likely feeling all kinds of guilt for giving him away. However, any time a women gives a child away for adoption, there is risk. She probably felt the risk was less because he would be raised by his father. I feel trauma reading what his living conditions were like and how thin he is and he is not related to me in any way.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

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[Izzylizzy]

Her attorney Ioannis A. Kaloidis tells Daily Mail that it was her late husband, the boy's father Kregg, who made the 'decisions' about his life.

She insists she encouraged better personal hygiene but 'couldn't force' him to wash, and says she was 'aware' of his weight - a startling 68lbs - but wasn't responsible for it.

Kregg Sullivan died in January last year.

Obituaries refer to him being a beloved father of three children, but no record of the son exists in any official database.
'House of horrors' stepmom makes more shocking claims about son

wish they'd linked the obituary because I've been looking for it. Found his brother K's the other day but not Kregg's. All the boys in the family were apparently named K names.
---------------------------
“Ultimately it was the father which dictated the manner in which his son was raised and my client was only carrying out his orders,” Kaloidis said.
[snip]
Sullivan is due back in court on March 26
'He Was in Control': Father of Man Claiming Stepmom Held Him Captive Made Decisions About His Son's Care, Claims Her Lawyer

this defense isn't going to fly unless the defense wants to explain how that control was exercised and enforced from the grave.

Gee, I wonder why that is? /s

"He has two adult daughters who appear to have gone to ground since Kimberly's arrest."

 

[Izzylizzy]

Reading what is there, wonder how her commenters think of her now. DISGUSTED at the ones of OUTSIDE enjoyment, peace, while the victim was in fear in that house locked in and starving for ONE thing.

Looking at the photos and then reading the few comments she got I just assumed they weren't from anyone who knows her today and what she looks like in real life.
Like a friend of a friend's friend's friend who lives in Siberia.

 

[keek]

Looking at the photos and then reading the few comments she got I just assumed they weren't from anyone who knows her today and what she looks like in real life.
Like a friend of a friend's friend's friend who lives in Siberia.

Yes, all odd of course. CREEPY. Ha, def you are right I would say.

 

[Tabulator]

My focus is currently on the brave man who had the courage and strength to escape his horrid situation and save himself!

This case being so public will probably result in many court dealings: cases against the evil stepmother and possibly his half-siblings as well as procedings against CPS for lack of follow-up and this entire case not being investigated properly. In addition, there is a lot of money being donated to him to assist with care and future needs.

I don't think we can forget that this man has some real deficits and I am extremely concerned about who may step forward to try and get access to his recent financial windfall. IMHO, this man will need a lot of training and education on how to live productively as well as simple tlc and care - I hope a few public agencies will step-up to the plate and work to amend the colossal failures of the past. I have a lot of hope for this guy - I want to believe there are good people out there who can get together and work to give this man some joy and happiness. I just don't want his recent good fortune to attract more parasites - he deserves some goodness and joy after so many years of misery.
As for that horrible step-mother and anyone else who knew what was going on and did nothing... Rhett Butler said it best: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

I want to focus on this man's incredible courage and fortitude! Good on him!

 

[Izzylizzy]

I feel sorry for this woman. How is this any different than any woman who gives her child up for adoption? Yes, her ex-husband retained custody, but she gave away her rights. It doesn't mean that she didn't love him. She probably loved him more and thought he would have a better life. Perhaps she didn't have any way to support him - or was in the throws of addiction. I believe that women who give up their child for adoption often do so out of love. So, seeing her son now, and how he was cruelly tortured for years, has very likely traumatized her dramatically. She is also likely feeling all kinds of guilt for giving him away. However, any time a women gives a child away for adoption, there is risk. She probably felt the risk was less because he would be raised by his father. I feel trauma reading what his living conditions were like and how thin he is and he is not related to me in any way.

Maybe if the time is right the young man can be reunited with his birth mom and her side of the family?
His dead father's brother visited him in the hospital right away.
Hopefully he has a long life ahead of him and he's surrounded by loved ones and new friends.
As of a few days ago he remained in a medical facility where I want to believe he's getting the beast care imaginable.

IMO:

 

[Izzylizzy]

My focus is currently on the brave man who had the bravery and strength to escape his horrid situation and save himself!

This case being so public will probably result in many court dealings: cases against the evil stepmother and possibly his half-siblings as well as procedings against CPS for lack of follow-up and this entire case not being investigated properly. In addition, there is a lot of money being donated to him to assist with care and future needs.

I don't think we can forget that this man has some real deficits and I am extremely concerned about who may step forward to try and get access to his recent financial windfall. IMHO, this man will need a lot of training and education on how to live productively as well as simple tlc and care - I hope a few public agencies will step-up to the plate and work to amend the colossal failures of the past. I have a lot of hope for this guy - I want to believe there are good people out there who can step up to the plate and work together to give this man some joy and happiness. I just don't want his recent good fortune to attract more parasites - he deserves some goodness and joy after so many years of misery.
As for that horrible step-mother and anyone else who knew what was going on and did nothing... Rhett Butler said it best: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

I want to focus on this man's incredible courage and fortitude! Good on him!

A court appointed advocate could serve him well during the long healing process.
imo