A woman in the U.S. has been arrested, for allegedly holding her stepson captive for 20 years.
A woman in the United States, has been arrested on charges of allegedly holding her stepson captive. For nearly 20 years in a confined space within her home.
Authorities reported that the 40-year-old man had been trapped in a secluded room, with minimal access to the outside world. leading to severe neglect and psychological trauma. After receiving a tip-off from a concerned neighbour who had noticed unusual activity, law enforcement officials uncovered the situation. The investigation revealed a disturbing history of abuse and manipulation, prompting the woman’s arrest and raising questions about how such treatment could go unnoticed for so long.
A man from Connecticut escaped, after allegedly being held captive by his stepmother for 20 years.
In a desperate attempt to flee. He set fire to the small room where he was confined, according to officials.
Authorities quickly responded to the fire and rescued the 32-year-old man. Who was severely emaciated and weighed only 30 kilograms.
He was treated for smoke inhalation, after being found in a 72-square-foot (6.7-square-meter) room.
The man revealed that he started the fire after enduring years of “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment,” as reported by the police in Waterbury, Connecticut.
His stepmother has been charged with kidnapping and starving him, but denies the allegations.
A Connecticut man who was allegedly held captive by his stepmother for 20 years. He escaped by setting fire to the small room where he was confined, authorities reported.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene of the fire and rescued the emaciated 32-year-old man from a 72-square-foot (6.7 square meter) room. Upon his escape, he weighed just 68 pounds (30 kilograms) and required treatment for smoke inhalation.
The man disclosed to the police that he had set the fire after enduring years of “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment.” Police in Waterbury, Connecticut. Stated that the man’s stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, is being charged, with kidnapping and cruelty. She has denied the allegations.
Explaining his motivation for starting the fire, the man told police, “I wanted my freedom.” Prosecutors alleged, that he was given only a sandwich and two small bottles of water each day for years.
And was permitted outside the room for just two hours daily to do chores. All under the watchful supervision of his stepmother.
Using hand sanitiser, paper, and a lighter, he ignited the fire, fully aware that it could lead to his death, a prosecutor revealed in court on Wednesday. At the time of the fire, Ms. Sullivan was home but did not communicate with authorities when they arrived.
Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, claimed that the allegations were untrue. “He was not locked in a room.” She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food; she provided shelter. “She is shocked by these allegations,” he told local media.
The fire was set on February 17 and local police arrested Ms. Sullivan on Wednesday. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the details of the case as “both heartbreaking and unimaginable.”
According to the police, the victim said that he had been confined, in his family home in Waterbury. Since he was about 11 years old. “He had been locked in the room for 20 years, and for 20 years, he had been trying to get out of that room. ” the prosecutor remarked.
Authorities remain uncertain about when the man’s father died, but they indicated that his condition worsened as a result. When he was discovered, he had a body mass index (BMI) of 11. The National Health Service considers a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Additionally, police noted that during his captivity, the man had not received any medical or dental care.