‘Malnourished’ man held captive by stepmom for decades set fire to home to escape: ‘I wanted my freedom’

A antheral allegedly held captive by his stepmom for 20 years deliberately acceptable occurrence to their location successful Waterbury, Connecticut, past period to escape, constabulary said.

The woman, identified by Waterbury constabulary arsenic 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, was arrested Wednesday pursuing an extended probe into her stepson’s shocking claims. 

Waterbury constabulary and occurrence officials responded to reports of an progressive occurrence astatine a residence connected Blake Street connected the evening of Feb. 17. Police said 2 occupants were wrong the location astatine the clip – Sullivan and her 32-year-old stepson. 

Sullivan was capable to evacuate safely. Fire officials assisted her stepson retired of the location and placed him successful the attraction of EMS due to the fact that helium had suffered fume inhalation and vulnerability to the fire. 

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This photograph provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows Kimberly Sullivan, who was charged Wednesday with kidnapping and cruelty for allegedly holding her 32-year-old stepson captive for much than 20 years.  (Waterbury Police Department via AP)

The stepson told constabulary helium intentionally acceptable occurrence to the upstairs room, stating: "I wanted my freedom." He alleged that Sullivan had held him captive since helium was 11 years old.

Police launched an probe successful collaboration with the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office and determined that the stepson had so been held captive for much than 20 years. 

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Investigators determined that the stepson had endured "prolonged abuse, starvation, terrible neglect and inhumane treatment." 

He was recovered successful a "severely emaciated information and had not received aesculapian oregon dental attraction during this time" and had been provided with "only minimal amounts of nutrient and water, which led to his highly malnourished condition."

This photograph provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows Kimberly Sullivan being taken into custody for kidnapping and cruelty for allegedly holding her 32-year-old stepson captive for much than 20 years. (Waterbury Police Department via AP)

A warrant was issued for Sullivan’s apprehension connected Tuesday and officers took her into custody connected Wednesday. She is facing a slew of charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree unlawful restraint. 

Police responded to reports of an progressive occurrence astatine a residence connected Blake Street successful Waterbury, Connecticut. (Google Maps)

Sullivan was arraigned successful tribunal Wednesday, wherever enslaved was acceptable astatine $300,000. She volition beryllium placed successful the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections, Waterbury constabulary said successful a quality release. 

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"The suffering this unfortunate endured for implicit 20 years is some heartbreaking and unimaginable. This lawsuit required relentless investigative effort, and I commend the dedication of our officers and the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office," Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said. "Their unwavering committedness ensured that justness is served, and the perpetrator is held afloat accountable for these horrific crimes."

Fox News Digital has reached retired to Sullivan's lawyer for comment.