15-04-2025
Conn. man, 32, allegedly held captive in own home for 20 years speaks out; wants to ‘reclaim my life'
Authorities haven't publicly identified the man, but
'I am a survivor of more than 20 years of captivity and domestic abuse,' said S, adding that he's 'speaking out today to begin the process of reclaiming my life and to have my say in how my story is told.'
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The man said he's now much stronger and healthier than when first responders came to his aid on the night of the fire, which he set on Feb. 17.
After the blaze, he was 'described as being near starvation,' court records show, and at 5 feet 9 inches tall, he weighed just 68 pounds.
'I am beyond grateful for the care I have received since then,' he said Tuesday. 'To all the health care professionals who have helped and nurtured me, thank you.'
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He said he also appreciated the chance to enjoy his 'first ever birthday party' when he recently turned 32.
'I also want to thank the first responders, the law enforcement investigators and everyone who is working to hold those responsible for my abuse accountable,' said S. 'Thank you to everyone at Safe Haven Waterbury and everyone who has given to the GoFundMe page that will help cover some of the overwhelming expenses I will face in the weeks, months and years to come.'
In addition, the man thanked his attorney and conservator for their assistance in helping him navigate the legal process.
'Much has already been said that tells part of the story of the abuse I endured,' said S. 'Someday, perhaps my whole story will be told. I ask everyone involved in my story to fully cooperate with the authorities who are helping me seek justice for these crimes. I also ask the public and the media to respect those investigations and my privacy as this process plays out. This isn't just a story. It's my life.'
He also offered thanks for 'your thoughts and messages, your support and your continued prayers as I recover.'
Waterbury police had arrested Sullivan on March 12 on charges of of assault, kidnapping, restraint, cruelty, and reckless endangerment, officials have said.
A police affidavit filed in court said that when her stepson was in elementary school, he was so hungry that he stole food from other children and sometimes ate out of the garbage.
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School officials contacted the state's child welfare agency, which twice visited the fourth-grader's home.
'When they were there, he was told by Sullivan to tell them that everything was fine,' police said. 'After the second DCF visit, he was pulled from school by Sullivan.'
He told police after the fire that he'd endured 'a life of captivity, abuse, and starvation,' records show.
The severity and duration of the alleged abuse, and how it remained hidden, has stunned the region, and court records provided
After he was rescued from the fire, an officer described him as 'emaciated' and 'very dirty, and his teeth all [appeared] to be rotten,' police said.
The man said he intentionally set the fire using a lighter, hand sanitizer, and paper because 'he wanted his freedom,' authorities said.
'He stated that he had been locked in that house his entire life,' the affidavit said, adding that he 'has been held captive' in the home since he was 11.
He said Sullivan 'keeps him locked' inside his bedroom, police said.
Sullivan, however, told investigators her stepson 'has a lot of problems' but hasn't been diagnosed with any health issues since his 'father was against using doctors,' police said.
She said she took her stepson 'a few times' to see a psychiatrist because he 'mentioned hurting himself in the past,' police said.
Sullivan also told police his bedroom door isn't locked and that 'he has free rein of the house,' police said.
However, police observed a 'slide lock' on the outside of the man's bedroom doorframe that could be used to lock the door from outside, the affidavit said.
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The man gave two additional interviews to investigators on Feb. 21 and March 6, records show.
He told police that starting when he was around 3, he developed a habit of sneaking out of his room at night to get food and drinks.
Once food wrappers were discovered in his room he began to be locked there, at first only during the evening hours, he told authorities.
'He recalled drinking water from the toilet at the time due to the fact that he was only getting about two cups of water per day,' police said.
The man also told police he 'always' had a lock outside his door, first a chain lock, then a padlock, and then a slide bolt lock. His room was 'a back storage space' measuring eight feet by nine feet.
During the 'brutally consistent' period of captivity, the man indicated that he normally woke up between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., getting let out for 'a limited time' around 8 a.m. to 'complete several chores' before he was locked back in his room in the late morning, police said.
He typically fell asleep around 7:30 p.m. but 'did not sleep well,' and he was sometimes briefly permitted to leave his room in the early evening, he told police.
Things were slightly better when he was alone with his father in the home, the man said.
His father let him out for longer periods on the weekends when his mother and sisters were out, allowing him to watch television with him or work in the yard, the man told investigators.
The last time he left his family property was when he was 14 or 15 and went with his father to dispose of yard waste, police said.
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His father's death resulted in 'his captivity and restraint' worsening, according to the affidavit. The document didn't indicate when his father died and provided no information about his mother.
'The only time he would ever be out of the house once his father died was to let the family dog out in the back of the property,' police said.
He told investigators he received 'up to two sandwiches' per day and limited water, and that the food allocations were 'less and less over time,' police said.
Asked if he was frequently hungry, he replied, 'All day, every day, my entire life,' police said.
He said he never spoke to anyone about his ordeal due to the 'constant threat of longer lockdowns and further diminishment of food,' and described 'a life of being mentally conditioned by Sullivan,' police said.
'He stated that the threat was that he would 'not see the light of day' if he told anyone,' and that he also once discovered a gun in the home while cleaning, police said.
He said Sullivan would tell him that 'under pain of death no one was to see me,' police said.
Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report.
Travis Andersen can be reached at
