Birth Mother Speaks Out Amid Case of Son Allegedly Held Captive for 20 Years

A birth mother has responded after Kimberly Sullivan, accused of holding her stepson captive for 20 years, walks free on bail while the emaciated 32-year-old weighing just 68 pounds begins a long journey to recovery.

Key Insights

Kimberly Sullivan is charged with keeping her stepson confined from age 11 to 31, with first responders finding him severely malnourished at 68 pounds when he allegedly escaped by setting a fire.
Sullivan’s attorney denies all allegations, claiming the victim’s weight issues date back to childhood and were previously addressed with authorities and doctors.
Tracy Vallerand, the victim’s biological mother who lost custody when he was 6 months old, has condemned Sullivan’s release on bail and emphasized her son’s need for justice.
The victim, now referring to himself as “S,” is reclaiming his life and is transitioning to rehabilitation with community support.
Sullivan faces multiple charges including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, and cruelty to persons, with her case continued to May 27.

Mother Condemns Bail Decision as Case Unfolds

Tracy Vallerand has publicly criticized the court’s decision to release Kimberly Sullivan on bond with GPS monitoring. Sullivan stands accused of holding Vallerand’s biological son captive in a windowless closet for two decades with limited food and water. The 31-year-old victim was discovered by first responders after allegedly setting a fire to escape his confinement. Standing at 5’9″ but weighing only 68 pounds, his severely emaciated condition immediately raised alarms with authorities who found him in the Waterbury, Connecticut home.

Sullivan, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, and cruelty to persons, maintains her innocence through her attorney. The case has drawn national attention to questions about how a person could allegedly remain hidden from society for so long without intervention from authorities or community members.

Vallerand, who lost custody of her son when he was only 6 months old, stated she had attempted to reconnect with him multiple times but was prevented by his father, Kregg Sullivan. Now, she is supporting her son in the case against his stepmother and recently told reporters she thinks Sullivan was too much of a flight risk to be released from jail.

In her comments, she also said she doesn’t know how Sullivan’s attorney can bring himself to represent her and suggested that Sullivan is “the lowest of the low.”

Connecticut house of horrors escapee’s birth mom slams bail for accused stepmom https://t.co/tZQaEnymRB

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 25, 2025

Defense Claims vs. Prosecution Evidence

Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, has vehemently denied allegations that his client imprisoned her stepson. “My client is adamant she has done nothing wrong, and this man was not held in a room for 20 years,” Kaloidis stated while addressing the media outside the courthouse. He has challenged the prosecution, arguing that photos showing locks on doors and cluttered rooms do not conclusively prove captivity. The defense has also contested the implications of the victim’s weight, suggesting the condition predated any alleged mistreatment.

Prosecutors paint a dramatically different picture, alleging Sullivan took the boy out of school in fourth grade when he was 11 years old and kept him confined until his escape at age 31. They claim the victim was denied basic necessities and human interaction throughout this period. Court documents indicate the victim was found in deplorable conditions, severely malnourished, and showing signs of long-term neglect that required immediate hospitalization and ongoing medical treatment.

S Begins Recovery and Reclaims Identity

The survivor, now identifying himself simply as “S,” has released a statement through Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, the organization assisting with his rehabilitation. In his first public comments, S has expressed gratitude to healthcare professionals, first responders, and law enforcement while requesting privacy as he rebuilds his life. He also said he recently celebrated his first-ever birthday party at age 32.

A GoFundMe campaign established for S has raised substantial funds to support his ongoing medical care and rehabilitation needs. He is transitioning to a rehabilitation facility for intensive physical therapy with hopes for Medicaid support. Tracy Vallerand, who attended a recent court hearing, stated: “We just need to make sure justice is done for him. It’s all about the justice for him. He sounds very strong and it’s very encouraging that he’s actually able to speak up and take his life back.”