GoFundMe Campaign Launched For Waterbury Man In Captivity Case

WATERBURY, CT — A local nonprofit organization has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help a man who police say was held captive for 20 years and subjected to extreme abuse and neglect.

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury Inc., which helps victims of domestic violence, is organizing the fundraiser.

The organization’s campaign has a goal of raising $24,000. As of 11 a.m. Friday, it had raised $21,658.

“For 20 years, he was held captive in a room, subjected to abuse, starvation, and neglect. He was rescued last month after courageously setting a fire to gain his freedom,” the GoFundMe campaign states. “Now, he is facing the immense challenge of rebuilding his life after such a traumatic experience.”

Sullivan has denied wrongdoing through her attorney, Jason Spilka of Waterbury.

“She maintains her innocence, and we are prepared to put together an aggressive defense,” Spilka said, in a phone interview Friday. “Right now, we are not commenting on any specific allegations. Our position is a blanket denial. At this point, we are waiting for discovery and more information on evidence to assess the strength of the state’s case.”

Money raised through the GoFundMe campaign will help pay for the man’s medical expenses, dental care, counseling, therapy, housing, daily living expenses, and support for legal fees, “ensuring he can pursue justice for the abuse he suffered,” according to the campaign.

On Wednesday, police arrested the man’s stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, of Blake Street, and charged her with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.

According to police, the man, now aged 32, weighed just 68 pounds when he set his house on fire on Feb. 17.

Firefighters responded to Sullivan’s Waterbury house, at 2 Blake St. and put out the fire. Police said two occupants had been in the house, including Sullivan and her stepson.

Sullivan was able to escape the house fire safely. The male occupant remained inside, but firefighters helped him out. He suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire, police said. While he was receiving medical care, the man told first responders he intentionally set the fire stating, “I wanted my freedom,” police said.

The man told police Sullivan had been holding him captive in the house since he was about 11 years old. The police department’s Major Crimes Unit launched an investigation in collaboration with the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office.

Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said this week police detectives corroborated the man’s story and determined he had been held in captivity for over 20 years, enduring abuse, neglect and starvation. Police discovered the man’s room had exterior locks on it, Spagnolo said.

Police said the man was found in a “severely emaciated” condition, and he had not received any medical or dental care. He was given minimal amounts of food and water, which led to his malnourishment, according to police. He has ongoing mental and physical health issues due to his ordeal, police said. The police investigation is ongoing.

Sullivan has posted bail and is next due in Superior Court in Waterbury on March 26, state Judicial Branch records show.