Man Held Captive for Over 20 Years
After more than two decades of alleged captivity and isolation, a Connecticut man known publicly only as “S” has released his first statement to the world, marking a powerful and emotional moment in a case that has shocked the country and reignited questions about how abuse can go undetected for so long.
“I am speaking out today to begin the process of reclaiming my life and to have my say in how my story is told,” S said in a written statement released through the advocacy organization Survivors Say. “This is not the name given to me at birth. It is the name I have chosen for myself as I move forward, on my own terms.”
S, now 32 years old, was found in February 2025 after he allegedly set a fire in the Waterbury home where he had lived since childhood. The fire was a desperate act — not of malice, but of survival. Authorities responding to the blaze found S emaciated, confused, and severely malnourished, weighing just 68 pounds. According to police reports, he had been locked away in a room for most of his adolescence and adult life.
A Hidden Life in Plain Sight
The home, located on Blake Street, appeared on the outside like any other. But inside, S described a life of brutal control and neglect. He claims he was removed from school at age 11 and kept largely out of public view ever since. The only times he was allegedly permitted to leave his room were to perform chores.
Authorities allege that Kimberly Sullivan, S’s stepmother, was responsible for the prolonged abuse and isolation. She has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree assault, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and second-degree kidnapping. Sullivan has pleaded not guilty.
Despite multiple visits to the home over the years by police and Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), S was never removed from the situation. That failure has sparked sharp criticism of state agencies, particularly over the lack of follow-up after Sullivan reportedly withdrew him from public school in 2004 following a report of suspected neglect.
“This Isn’t Just a Story. It’s My Life.”
In his statement, S expressed appreciation to the emergency responders and hospital staff who helped him through his initial recovery. He specifically thanked the nurses who threw him his first birthday party — a gesture he said meant more than they could ever know.
“Being celebrated for the first time on my birthday helped me feel like I mattered. Like I existed again,” he said.
S also thanked Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Survivors Say, and the broader community, which has donated nearly $270,000 to support his recovery. Funds will go toward housing, medical care, counseling, and legal advocacy as he rebuilds from the ground up.
But his message was also one of boundaries and caution. “I ask everyone involved in my story to fully cooperate with the authorities who are helping me seek justice. I also ask the public and the media to respect those investigations and my privacy. This isn’t just a story. It’s my life.”
A Reckoning for the System
The revelations in Waterbury have reignited a state-wide conversation about Connecticut’s oversight of home-schooled children and vulnerable families. Advocates and legislators are now pushing for stronger safeguards, including follow-up protocols for children withdrawn from school and better coordination between agencies.
“This case is horrifying — not only because of the suffering this young man endured, but because it could have been prevented,” said one state representative during a press conference. “No one should disappear in plain sight.”
Meanwhile, DCF has launched an internal review of its handling of the case, and the City of Waterbury has pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
The Road Ahead
While S continues his recovery in a secure and undisclosed location, his statement is already making waves — not just for what it reveals, but for the strength it represents.
“There is a long road ahead,” he said. “But I believe in the possibility of a better future. I am not alone anymore.”
For a man who lived for over 20 years in silence and solitude, these words are not just a statement — they are a declaration of survival, autonomy, and hope.
