A Connecticut woman accused of imprisoning her stepson for nearly two decades and subjecting him to starvation and relentless abuse is set to appear in court on Wednesday to face charges including assault, kidnapping, and cruelty.
Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was arrested on March 12 and has denied the allegations through one of her attorneys, Ioannis Kaloidis. Sullivan was released on a $300,000 bond.
“He was not locked in a room. She did not restrain him in any way,” Kaloidis said. “She provided food. She provided shelter. She is blown away by these allegations.”
Sullivan’s attorneys have said she plans to plead not guilty.
Related Article: A Young Man Emerged from a Burning House After Decades of Alleged Captivity. His City Is Now Reckoning with the Fallout.
The case came to light after a 32-year-old man – who told police he had been held captive for over 20 years – last month set fire to the Waterbury, Connecticut, home he shared with Sullivan in what authorities described as a desperate bid for freedom.
On February 17, emergency responders arrived at the burning home to find Sullivan and her stepson, police said. While Sullivan escaped unharmed, the man – who suffered from smoke inhalation and burns – required medical attention.
The man later told police he intentionally started the fire in his upstairs room, explaining,
