WATERBURY, CT — A Waterbury man who says he was confined for more than 20 years in a locked room by his father and stepmother has made his first public statement since being rescued in February.
Identifying himself only as “S,” the 32-year-old marked his first-ever birthday celebration this month and announced his intention to reclaim his identity by choosing a new name.
According to investigators, the man was rescued by firefighters on Feb. 17 from a burning home in Waterbury. He later told police he intentionally started the fire in a desperate attempt to escape captivity.
Authorities said he weighed only 69 pounds and was severely malnourished when brought to the hospital.
Kimberly Sullivan, the man’s stepmother, has been charged with kidnapping, felony assault, and cruelty to persons.
She has pleaded not guilty. Court documents state that Sullivan denied the allegations and claimed the man was free to move about the house.
The victim alleges he was pulled from school in fourth grade and kept confined in a room with no heat or air conditioning. He said he was allowed out briefly only to perform chores and was threatened with further deprivation if he spoke out.
Police records indicate no reports of concern were filed at the time of earlier visits to the home.
The nonprofit group Survivors Say released the man’s statement, in which he said he was “a survivor of more than 20 years of captivity and domestic abuse.”
He has been under medical care since the rescue and recently transitioned to a long-term care facility.
Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, an organization assisting the man, has raised nearly $270,000 through GoFundMe to support his ongoing recovery and legal expenses.
This picture shows trash and dirt in carpeted areas of the home where Kimberly Sullivan is accused of holding her stepson captive for 20 years. | Waterbury Police Department
