Mum 'held stepson captive’ for 20 years in ‘house of horror’ before he made brave act to escape knowing he could die

A woman allegedly held her stepson captive for 20 years before he made a brave act to escape, knowing it could kill him.

Kimberly Sullivan was arrested this week after a man identified as her 32-year-old stepson told police he intentionally set a fire at the house where the horrifying acts had allegedly happened.

The 56-year-old woman is now facing a number of charges, including assault, kidnapping, and unlawful restraint.

Police said in a statement that responders in Waterbury, Connecticut, responded to reports of an active fire in February where they rescued the man.

Sullivan was able to evacuate safely but he had suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire and was placed in the care of emergency medical services.

While he was receiving treatment, police say he revealed he had intentionally started the fire in his upstairs room, telling them: “I wanted my freedom.”

He went on to allege that his stepmum had held him captive since he was about 11 years old.

Following these ‘alarming’ allegations, authorities launched an extensive investigation and came to a harrowing conclusion.

“Detectives determined that the victim had been held in captivity for over 20 years, enduring prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment,” police said. “He was found in a severely emaciated condition and had not received medical or dental care during this time.”

She faces a number of charges. (Waterbury Police Department)

It was also found that he had been provided with ‘only minimal amounts of food and water’, leading to him being in a ‘extremely malnourished condition’.

The victim told police that the situation got worse when his father died last year.

Sullivan appeared in court for arraignment yesterday (12 March), were prosecutors explained the man lit the fire with hand sanitiser and paper from a printer.

“He lit that fire very well knowing he could die, but he had been locked in the room for 20 years, and for 20 years he’d been trying to get out of that room,” they described, per WFSB-TV 3.

The woman has been charged 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.

Police say there was only Kimberly and the stepson in the home at the time of the fire. (Waterbury Police Department)

She was ‘stunned to hear the allegations’ and denied them, according to her attorney.

"What she indicated to me was that they were absolutely not true, and as we get more information we intend to put up a vigorous defence," Kaloidis said, per the Independent.

"But she’s adamant she did not do the things that she’s accused of."

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said in a statement: “The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable. This case required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office. Their unwavering commitment ensured that justice is served, and the perpetrator is held fully accountable for these horrific crimes.”