A horrifying story of survival and silence emerges as a Connecticut man speaks out after decades in captivity — with his sister and mother finally discovering he’s alive.
The home on Blake Street in Waterbury, Connecticut, where a 32-year-old man says he was held captive for two decades by his stepmother. He was rescued on 17 February 2025, after setting a fire in a desperate bid for freedom.
Waterbury Police Department on Facebook
Kimberly Sullivan, stepmother of the man held captive for two decades in a Waterbury home, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses including kidnapping and cruelty to persons. The arrest follows a months-long investigation after the victim set fire to his room to escape.
Waterbury Police Department | Facebook
A man who says he was locked away for 20 years by his father and stepmother in a Connecticut home has spoken publicly for the first time — just as his biological sister and mother, long searching for him, step forward to reconnect after more than a decade of silence.
In a powerful statement released Tuesday through the nonprofit group Survivors Say, the man, now 32, said, “Please call me ‘S.’” He explained that the name was his first act of reclaiming control after decades of abuse, isolation, and neglect.
According to police and court documents, “S” was rescued on 17 February after setting fire to his home in Waterbury in a desperate attempt to escape. Firefighters found him malnourished, weighing just 69 pounds, and suffering from years of untreated health problems. He told authorities he had been removed from school in the fourth grade, kept in a locked room without basic care or consistent meals, and threatened with punishment if he spoke out.
On 17 February 2025, the Waterbury Police Department confirmed the details of the incident on its official Facebook page. Officers and firefighters responded to a house fire at 2 Blake Street and rescued two occupants: Kimberly Sullivan, 56, and her 32-year-old stepson. Sullivan evacuated safely, while "S" was pulled from the upstairs room where the fire had started. He later told medical staff, “I wanted my freedom.”
Following an extensive investigation by the Waterbury Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office, detectives determined that “S” had endured over 20 years of captivity, starvation, abuse, and neglect. He had never received proper medical or dental care and was given only minimal food and water. Sullivan was arrested on 12 March and charged with kidnapping, assault, cruelty to persons, and related crimes. Her bond was set at $300,000.
Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said, “The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable... Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable.”
"S" now resides at an undisclosed recovery facility, supported by a growing circle of advocates and care providers. He thanked first responders, medical staff, and organizations such as Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, which launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised nearly $300,000 for his recovery.
Heather Tessman, his half-sister, told reporters she had searched for him since 2009. Outside a Connecticut courthouse, she said she and their mother, Tracy Vallerand, have not been allowed to visit due to the ongoing investigation. “I would say, ‘I love you and I just want to be here for you,’” Tessman said, adding she hopes to share books, games, and movies with him soon.
Kimberly Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her attorney insists she is innocent and that the public has rushed to judgment. State lawmakers and advocacy groups, meanwhile, are calling for a review of homeschooling laws and child welfare procedures in Connecticut.
Sullivan allegedly told authorities that the man was free to move about the house, but “S” told police otherwise. He claimed that after being removed from school in 2004, he was confined to a small, unheated room, allowed out only to do chores, and threatened with harsher punishment if he disclosed the abuse.
Vallerand, who had not seen her son since he was six months old, described the shock of learning he was alive: “You don’t think of this happening to anybody, let alone your own child.”
“S” says he is feeling stronger and is focused on his recovery. In his statement, he shared that medical staff had thrown him his first-ever birthday party. “This isn’t just a story,” he said. “It’s my life.”
(Sources: Dave Collins, AP; Fox News, and official statements from the Waterbury Police Department)
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