On Tuesday, officials released photos of a Connecticut home where a woman allegedly held her stepson captive for 20 years.
CT Insider, who obtained the photos from Waterbury police, reported that the 32-year-old victim set fire to a room in an attempted escape on February 17. The man’s stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 57, allegedly kept him in a 9-by-8 feet room with an angled ceiling.
The photos apparently show locks which became more sophisticated as the man grew stronger. Sullivan reportedly also fortified the doors with plywood.
“The release of sensitive evidence by the Waterbury Police Department in a pending and active investigation is shocking, offensive and quite frankly, ethically questionable. It only serves to solidify public opinion against Ms. Sullivan,” Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, said in a statement issued to CTPost. “Justice requires the protection of constitutional rights and ultimately, a fair trial. We call for an immediate investigation into the release of these photos and videos. We intend to fight these outrageous allegations every step of the way.”
CT Insider reported that the man, who was rescued following the fire, had rotting teeth and was filthy. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said he was 5 foot, 9 inches tall and weighed 68 pounds.
Two reports from 2005 indicated that police visited the home and determined the then-12-year-old victim appeared “healthy and happy.”
The man reportedly claimed he was only fed two sandwiches and two small water bottles a day. Officers reportedly found evidence showing how the man was expected to dispose of his waste, according to CT Insider.
“We believe that he may have walked through the fire to get out of the room that he was in. It’s amazing he’s alive,” Spagnolo said, according to WCBS.
Sullivan was charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to a person, first-degree unlawful restraint and first-degree reckless endangerment. She pleaded guilty on Friday and is free on $300,000 bail.
[Feature Photo: Waterbury police]
