Photo: Waterbury Police Department
Kimberly Sullivan, a 57-year-old Connecticut woman, is facing charges for allegedly imprisoning her stepson in a "house of horrors" for over 20 years. Sullivan has now requested a judge to reveal the new identity of her stepson, who escaped captivity earlier this year. The stepson, identified as "S" in court documents, was reportedly locked in a storage closet for at least 22 hours a day starting in March 1996, when he was just 11 years old. He is now 32.
Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, argues that she has a constitutional right to confront her accuser, despite the stepson's new identity. However, the request has been met with strong opposition from the stepson's biological mother, Tracy Vallerand, who called it "appalling." Vallerand, who gave up custody of her son decades ago, insists that Sullivan should be kept away from him.
The victim's ordeal came to light in February when he set Sullivan's Waterbury home on fire to escape. He was found severely emaciated, weighing only 68 pounds, and had been living on minimal food and water. Police and firefighters rescued him from the burning building, leading to Sullivan's arrest on charges of assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty, and reckless endangerment.
Sullivan, who is out on a $300,000 bond, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her lawyer claims that the victim's late father was responsible for his upbringing and that Sullivan provided food and shelter. However, the Waterbury Police Department has launched an extensive investigation into the case, uncovering evidence of prolonged abuse and neglect.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski describing the victim's suffering as "horrifying and beyond comprehension." As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victim and holding those responsible accountable.