WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – The biological mother of a man who was allegedly held captive by his stepmother in Connecticut for approximately 20 years has released a statement.
The mother did not want to be identified, but she said in a statement that she gave up custody of her son when he was 6 months old.
“Thirty-two years ago, due to personal reasons, and for the full benefit of my son, I made the gut-wrenching decision to give full custody to my ex-husband. This was the most painful, emotional decision any mother can make, but I thought he would have a better life. In retrospect, this did not come to pass. For the last 30 years, my family and I have searched for him to reconnect only to be turned away and shut out,” the woman stated.
“The last few days have been so shocking, disturbing and disgusting to seem true. I hope and pray we can all begin to heal and helping my son to lead a full happy loving life. I know deep in my heart I have always been there for him and always will. Please grant us the time, peace and respect as we try to cope with this tragic situation,” the victim’s mother added.
Last week, 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, the victim’s stepmother, was arrested on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Police said the investigation started in February when the victim intentionally started a fire in his room.
Authorities say he was locked inside a small 8-foot by 9-foot room inside a home on Blake Street in Waterbury. He was allegedly given little food and water.
An arrest warrant for Sullivan revealed that she kept him locked in his room for about 20 years. Investigators said the man was 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed only 68 pounds.
Waterbury police likened his conditions to a World War II concentration camp.
On Friday, Channel 3 obtained bodycam video that shows the victim being rescued.
As law enforcement now moves the investigation forward, their greatest hurdle is trying to find evidence for 20 years of abuse allegations.
Retired state police officer Paul Vance says a big piece to the puzzle is finding everyone who knew or met the victim.
“Literally backtrack over 20, 25 years to determine where this originated, how this originated and who might’ve known, and something as innocent as maybe a classmate in grammar school when he was 11 years old,” Vance said.
Waterbury police say they did visit the home in 2005 after complaints were made to the Department of Family and Children, but found nothing concerning.
The agency doesn’t have any information about those complaints because they toss out unsubstantiated case files after five years.
“The question that comes to mind is someone had to know something,” Vance said. “Leave no stone unturned is what’s important in this case, to try and piece that timeline together and see if there are any other individuals who may have known, may have participated, that would be culpable.”
The message Vance hopes to get across to the public is that if you did ever know the victim or his family, reach out to police.
As for Kimberly Sullivan, she is due back in court next week.
Her lawyers said Friday that they are expecting to plead not guilty to the charges.
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