WATERBURY, Conn. — A man in Connecticut was rescued after reportedly being held captive for two decades. He set fire to his room as a desperate measure to gain his freedom, according to local police.
Authorities revealed that the victim, a 32-year-old man, was discovered by first responders in an upstairs room during a house fire last month. The rescue team treated him for smoke inhalation, during which he disclosed he had deliberately ignited the flames to escape his situation.
“I wanted my freedom,” he stated. He indicated he had been imprisoned since the age of 11.
An investigation showed that the individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, had endured over 20 years of captivity characterized by severe abuse, starvation, neglect, and a lack of medical care.
“The suffering this victim endured for over 20 years is both heartbreaking and unimaginable,” said a local police chief.
The man’s stepmother, identified as Kimberly Sullivan, 56, has been charged with multiple offenses, including assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, and cruelty. She was arraigned and held on a $300,000 bond.
Sullivan’s legal representative expressed surprise at the allegations, asserting that his client denies all claims and is preparing to mount a robust defense. He has not yet confirmed if others were residents of the home at the time of the incident.
