WATERBURY, CT – Bodycam footage recently unveiled captures dramatic moments from a February 17 house fire rescue in Waterbury, Connecticut. The footage reveals not only the intensity of the blaze but also the controversial circumstances surrounding a woman accused of holding her stepson captive for two decades.
Kimberly Sullivan, shown in the footage, is heard frantically calling to her stepson from outside their burning home, urging him to come out as she clutched her pet dog. A firefighter approaches and asks her if anyone else is inside; she responds about her stepson and two cats, indicating everyone is accounted for but urging for her stepson to come out.
As rescuers navigate the scene, Sullivan is urged to move to safety down the road. Her stepson emerges, carried by first responders, and is transported by ambulance, prompting her to plead, “Stop! What are you doing?” from a distance, as a firefighter reassures her she must stay where she is for safety.
Authorities have accused Sullivan of imprisoning her stepson since he was 11 years old, citing he was removed from school in fourth grade and held for 20 years. She faces several charges, including first-degree assault and second-degree kidnapping. Sullivan was released after posting a $300,000 bond on March 13, with a court date approaching.
Documents reveal the victim’s account to police, stating he attempted to escape by setting his room on fire. Weighing only 68 pounds at the time of his hospital admittance, his allegations portray a grim narrative of captivity that reportedly worsened after his father’s death in 2024.
Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis A. Kaloidis, disputes these claims, asserting her late husband held control over the son’s upbringing. He argued that Kimberly Sullivan never restricted her stepson’s movements or hygiene, pointing out she had encouraged him to shower but would not compel an adult to do so.
Kaloidis maintained his client adhered to her husband’s directives concerning his son’s care, and he questioned why the victim did not leave if he truly wanted to, suggesting he had the freedom to do so.
Sullivan is set to return to court on March 26 to address the charges. Meanwhile, the unsettling details surrounding this case continue to unfold as the community absorbs the shocking allegations brought to light by the blaze.