Conn. man police say was held captive for 20 years releases first public message (2025)

A survivor representative non-profit has released a statement purportedly from a Connecticut man who police say was held captive for 20 years by his stepmother.

In February, a then-31-year-old man set fire to a Waterbury home in an attempt to escape from the control of 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, who police arrested on kidnapping-related charges March, Waterbury police said previously.

Sullivan is facing charges of 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 said. A judge ordered Sullivan held on $300,000 bond at her arraignment, but she has since been released.

Statement from ‘S’

Authorities have not publicly identified the man, but he is identified in his statement through Survivors Say by a single initial — “S.” This initial does not refer to the man’s birth name, according to the statement.

“I am choosing a new name for myself, and I will use that name as I reclaim control over my life and my future,” the statement reads. “My name is my choice, and it is the first of many choices I will make for myself now that I am free.”

S describes himself in the statement as a survivor of more than 20 years of domestic abuse and captivity.

• Read more: Stepmom forced Conn. man to pee in bottles, drink from toilet in locked room, police say

“I was held prisoner in my home from the time I was taken out of the fourth grade at age 11 until two months ago at age 31 when I purposely set the fire that helped set me free,” the statement reads. “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 he is much stronger and doing better than he was when he first escaped captivity back in February. He thanked all the health care professionals and first responders who have helped him over the last two months.

“In addition to all of your care, I appreciated the chance to have my first ever birthday party to celebrate turning 32,” the statement reads.

How ‘S’ escaped captivity

On Feb. 17, firefighters put out a fire at a home at 2 Blake St. in Waterbury shortly before 8:45 p.m., the Waterbury Fire Department said previously. Sullivan — the owner of the house — and her stepson were in the home at the time.

Sullivan safely left the home, but her stepson stayed inside, the department said. Waterbury firefighters later helped him out of the home, and while he was being treated for smoke inhalation, he told first responders that he’d purposely started the fire in his upstairs room.

“I wanted my freedom,” he told first responders.

• Read more: Fundraiser for Conn. man police say was held captive for 20 years raises $100K

Authorities discovered that the man had endured “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment” during his more than 20 years in captivity, the department said. While held captive, he was denied medical and dental care and only given small amounts of food and water.

During a press conference, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said the man was 5-foot-9 but only weighed 68 pounds, according to Boston 25 News. He was also confined to a small room secured by many locks on the outside of the door and was forced to urinate in a bottle, Spagnolo said.

A GoFundMe campaign raising money to help the man pay for medical, dental and mental health care — as well as his living expenses and legal fees — had raised nearly $275,000 as of Tuesday evening.