Kimberly Sullivan, a 56-year-old resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, has been charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, and cruelty to persons. These charges stem from allegations that she held her stepson captive for over two decades. The victim, now 32, reportedly endured severe abuse and neglect since the age of 11. He was discovered in February 2025, weighing only 68 pounds, after deliberately setting a fire in their home to attract rescuers.

According to the victim, his confinement began in childhood, He recalled that by fourth grade, he was sneaking out at night to scavenge for food, which led Sullivan to begin locking him in his room. Eventually, he was pulled out of school entirely and was only allowed out to perform household chores. Conditions worsening after his father’s death in 2024. He described being locked in a small, unheated room for most of each day, deprived of adequate food and water, and lacking medical care. Investigations revealed that he resorted to drinking from the toilet and eating from the trash to survive. 

Despite two wellness checks by the Department of Children and Families and police visits in 2004, the reported abuse went unnoticed. Authorities found a home that appeared clean and “lived-in,” Waterbury Police Chief Fred Spagnolo said, and no follow-up actions were taken.

Timeline:

1990s–Early 2000s

• Kimberly Sullivan’s stepson is born. His biological mother, Tracy Vallerand, gives up custody when he is 6 months old, believing he would be safe with his father.
• By fourth grade (around age 9–10), the child begins scavenging for food at night.
• At approximately age 11, the boy is allegedly locked in a storage room. Additional locks are added over time..

2004

• He is removed from school and confined to the room for 22–24 hours a day. His food consists of only two sandwiches and limited water.
• Makeshift measures are created to relieve himself, including a funnel and straws out the window.
• Allowed out of the house only to let the dog out for about one minute a day
• Two wellness checks are conducted by the Department of Children and Families and police. No abuse is discovered. The home appears clean and “lived-in.” No further action is taken.

2005

• Apr 1, 2005 – Check Conditions call to 2 Blake St.
• Apr 18, 2005 – Harassment report filed.

2007

• Nov 16, 2007 – Suspicious Person reported. Male reportedly ran through yard and hid behind a garage.
• Nov 6, 2013 – Larceny report: a camcorder was stolen from the porch. Caller identified as Kimberly Sullivan.
• Dec 10, 2013 (12:18 PM) – Criminal Mischief report: 2 males tried to break into Sullivan’s car. Caller did not want to see officers.
• Dec 10, 2013 (1:08 PM) – Suspicious Person report: same incident as above, different call type logged.

2015

• Sept 8, 2015 – Police Information filed.
• Sept 9, 2015 – Check Conditions visit.
• Dec 2, 2015 – Harassment report filed.

2016

• Mar 26, 2016 – Harassment complaint by ex-boyfriend of Kimberly’s daughter, accusing both Kimberly and her daughter Jaimie of stalking and calling mall security

2017

• Jan 31, 2017 – Kimberly involved in a minor traffic collision; reported back pain but refused treatment​

2018

• Oct 22, 2018 – Domestic incident reported.

2019

• 2019– Kimberly Sullivan worked at a store in the Westfarms Mal
• Apr 24, 2019 – Traffic accident: Kimberly involved in a crash on Hamilton Ave​
• June 2, 2019 – Medical call.
• July 18, 2019 – Another medical call.

2020

• Feb 27, 2020 – Medical Assist (2 entries)
• Jul 14, 2020 – Kimberly files report regarding violation of a restraining order involving a man named Andrews
• Oct 31, 2020 – Medical emergency where a male was choking on chips. Caller initially stated CPR was in progress.

2023

• The man discovers a lighter in his late father’s jacket and begins plotting an escape.

2024

• January 2024 – The man’s father dies. Kimberly Sullivan becomes his sole caretaker. Allegedly, her control over him becomes more severe.
• September 1, 2024 – Medical assist call: Kimberly’s daughter Jaimie has a panic attack following a fight with her brother-in-law​

2025

February 17, 2025

• The man sets fire to his upstairs room using printer paper, hand sanitizer, and the lighter, in what he describes as a desperate act to gain freedom.
• Police discover the man emaciated (70 pounds at 5’9″), with matted hair and decayed teeth.
• Emergency responders arrive. Sullivan escapes unharmed. The man suffers smoke inhalation and burns and is hospitalized.
• He tells police: “I wanted my freedom.” He describes over 20 years of captivity, starvation, and abuse.
• He stated that his two step sisters are aware of his treatment as well but they are treated differently than him as they are his step mothers children, but they don’t live in the house anymore.
• Hardly anyone ever came to the home, but when they did, he was threatened into keeping quiet
• He was Taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in critical condition​
  

February 28, 2025

• Police Served a search Warrant. Search warrants confirm plywood and locks on his room’s door.

March 12, 2024

• Kimberly Sullivan is arrested and charged with assault, kidnapping, and cruelty.
• She is released on $300,000 bond.
• Her attorney Ioannis Kaloidis, denies all allegations and says she plans to plead not guilty.

March 13, 2015

• Waterbury Police Chief Fred Spagnolo calls it “the worst treatment of humanity” he has seen in 33 years of law enforcement.

Police said the victim, who stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighed just 68 pounds when rescued.

“In 33 years in law enforcement, this is the worst treatment of humanity that I’ve ever witnessed,” “Honestly, when we first started talking about it, we just really couldn’t believe it.”

• The man’s biological mother, Tracy Vallerand, speaks publicly, expressing shock and a desire to reconnect with her son.

Upcoming (as of Friday following March 27, 2025)

• Court hearing scheduled. The state plans to file a motion to modify Sullivan’s release conditions.
• Judge Joseph Schwartz asks defense attorney to delay entering a plea until then.

April 7, 2025

• Norm Pattis’ law firm has filed a motion with the Connecticut Appellate Court to argue for less restrictive bond conditions. Pre Appeal Motion

In February, the victim deliberately set a fire to draw first responders to the home. Body camera footage captured a firefighter carrying the now-32-year-old.