Biological Mother of Connecticut Man Allegedly Held Captive for Decades Speaks Out
The biological mother of the Connecticut man who was allegedly held captive and starved by his stepmother for more than two decades says she is “proud of him” for escaping—and his captor can “rot in hell.”
Police say the Connecticut man, 32, started a fire in the small room where he was allegedly locked in at his family’s Waterbury home on Feb. 17. The man, whose name has not been disclosed, was found severely emaciated after suffering “prolonged abuse, starvation, and inhumane treatment,” according to authorities. He told officers that he had been held captive by his 56-year-old stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, since he was 11 years old and that he started the fire because “I wanted my freedom.”
A Mother’s Pain and a Long-Awaited Reunion
The man’s biological 52-year-old mother told NBC Connecticut on Monday that she had been searching for her son for decades after giving up custody when he was a baby. Last week, she received shocking news from her sister.
“My sister actually called me while I was at work and said, ‘We found him. We found him,'” she recounted, still reeling from the revelation. “I’m heartbroken. I still just can’t fathom it. How can anybody treat somebody like that?”
The mother, along with her daughter—the victim’s half-sister—said they had scoured the internet for him once he became an adult.
“I just want him to know that he has a big sister. I’ve always known he existed, and I’ve always loved him. I’ve been looking for him for over a decade,” the half-sister said. “I wanted to wait until he was 18. I’m almost 35 now. And … there was nothing. No social media, no court records, no ancestry information, nothing.”
Legal Battle and Shocking Details Emerge
Sullivan now faces charges of assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty, and reckless endangerment. Her attorney has denied all allegations.
During Sullivan’s arraignment, prosecutors revealed harrowing details: The victim, standing at 5 feet 9 inches and weighing only 68 pounds, had allegedly been locked inside an 8-by-9-foot room since the fourth grade. He told authorities that he was let out in the mornings for 15 minutes to two hours to do chores and was given only two sandwiches a day and the equivalent of two small bottles of water.
According to an affidavit, he ignited the fire using a lighter, hand sanitizer, and some printer paper in a desperate bid for freedom.
A Call for Justice and Family Support
His biological mother is now demanding charges against everyone who lived in that Waterbury home.
“All of them in that home need to get charged. And she needs to actually spend the rest of her life in solitary confinement and be fed two cups of water a day,” she stated firmly.
Despite the pain, she remains hopeful about reuniting with her son. “He does have everybody here, on both sides of his family, that love him and have looked for him. We all love him. I love him. He’s so strong, and I’m so proud of him for doing what he needed to do. I wish he did it sooner.”
A Broader Perspective: Finding Strength and Resilience
As the story unfolds, the case highlights resilience against all odds. Stories of perseverance resonate across different walks of life—whether in survival, sports, or even industries like vaping, where legendary figures such as Mike Tyson have left their mark.
The Iron Mike Tyson Vape line, including the Tyson 2.0 Disposable Vape, has gained popularity among users seeking quality vaping experiences, much like Tyson himself overcame challenges to redefine his legacy. His story is a testament to fighting against adversity—something the Connecticut man, now free from captivity, embodies in his own way.
While the legal battle continues, the victim’s newfound freedom marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where he is finally able to reclaim his life.
