On Wednesday Waterbury Police announced that on Feb 17 their officers, along with personnel from the Waterbury Fire Dept, responded to a report of an active fire at a residence where they quickly extinguished the fire.
Two occupants were inside the home at the time. One was identified as Kimberly Sullivan, 56, the complainant and owner of the property. The second occupant was a 32-year-old male, later determined to be Sullivan’s stepson.
Photo courtesy Waterbury Police Dept March 12, 2025
According to Waterbury Police, Ms Sullivan was able to evacuate safely. The male occupant remained inside, but was later assisted out of the residence by Waterbury Fire Dept personnel and placed in the care of emergency medical services, having suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire.
Police said that while receiving medical care, the male victim disclosed to first responders that he had intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room, stating, ‘I wanted my freedom,’ and further alleging that he had been held captive by Sullivan since he was approximately 11 years old.
Following these alarming statements, the Waterbury Police Major Crimes Unit, in collaboration with the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, launched an extensive investigation.
Detectives determined that the victim had been held in captivity for over 20 years, enduring prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment. He was found in a severely emaciated condition and had not received medical or dental care during this time. Investigators further discovered that he had been provided with only minimal amounts of food and water which led to his extremely malnourished condition.
As a result of the investigation, Sullivan was identified as a suspect, and an arrest warrant was issued on March 11, 2025. On March 12, 2025, Sullivan was located and taken into police custody by the Waterbury Police Department.
Sullivan was charged with the following offenses:
Assault in the First Degree
Kidnapping in the Second Degree
Unlawful Restraint in the First Degree
Cruelty to Persons
Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree
Ms Sullivan was arraigned in court on Thursday and her bond was set at $300,000. She will be placed in the custody of the Connecticut Dept of Corrections.
In a statement, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said, “The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable. This case required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.”