Waterbury Man's Alleged 20-Year Captivity Sparks Outcry

Kimberly Sullivan, accused of holding her stepson captive for over 20 years in a Connecticut home, has pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping and felony assault. Her 32-year-old stepson, who reportedly weighed only 69 pounds, set a fire in February to escape, leading to his rescue and subsequent medical care. Police released over 100 photos depicting squalid living conditions, with cluttered rooms and locks on doors, although Sullivan claims her stepson was free to move about the house. Bodycam footage reveals Sullivan denying imprisonment accusations, but police allege she was not truthful. The stepson reportedly lived in a small, locked room from age 11, subjected to limited food and water, and was removed from school by Sullivan who claimed to homeschool him. The case has drawn significant public attention, with legal proceedings ongoing after Sullivan's release on $300,000 bail.