Attorney for woman accused of holding stepson captive calls case a ‘witch hunt' one year later
Tuesday marks one year since a Waterbury man set fire to his home to escape decades of alleged abuse.
The 32-year-old man, known publicly as “S,” claims that his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, held him captive since the age of 11.
On Feb. 17, 2025, Waterbury officers and firefighters responded to a burning home at 2 Blake St. in Waterbury around 8:45 p.m. and found Kimberly Sullivan outside.
Her 32-year-old stepson remained inside.
Firefighters got him out of the house and emergency medical services provided care.
The man, standing at a height of 5-feet-9, weighed only 68 pounds, according to officials. He was suffering smoke inhalation, exposure to the fire and serious injuries.
While receiving medical care, the man told first responders that he’d intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room and said, “I wanted my freedom,” according to police.
His first memory of abuse was when he was 3 years old, the man told first responders. He said he’d been held captive since he was 11 years old in an 8-foot-by-9-foot room with no heat or air conditioning behind a door that Sullivan kept locked, according to the arrest warrant.
He said that he was hungry every day of his life, according to statements from police and prosecutors.
According to the state prosecutor, the man used hand sanitizer he recovered and some paper from a printer to set the fire.
In March, police obtained a warrant charging Sullivan with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
One year after the events of that day in Waterbury, Sullivan’s attorney released a statement and scheduled a news conference.
“Today marks one year since the accuser set fire to more than just the family home. He ignited a witch hunt where society and the media demand Kim Sullivan be burned at the stake. This effort to scorch the earth of justice will fail,” Ioannis Kaloidis said.
In response, an attorney representing “S” also released a statement.
“This case is going to be decided in a courtroom not in a press conference. We will continue our efforts to protect the interests of our client throughout the criminal justice process. Nothing is going to change that,” Marisa Infante said.
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