‘House of Horrors’ stepmom gets a win in court — as victim she kept captive for 2 decades remains in recovery
Waterbury, Conn. – A 57‑year‑old stepmother who is accused of locking her 32‑year‑old stepson in a storage closet for 22 hours a day for two decades has been granted access to his private information, a court decided Friday. The stepson, who has been receiving care at an undisclosed hospital, is still recovering after an escape that began with a fire he set at the home.
At the courthouse, Kimberly Sullivan’s lawyer argued that the stepson’s new name, current location and medical records are vital to her defense. The judge, Corinne Klatt, agreed and organized an order that allows Sullivan to see the documents, but warned she must keep the details to her legal team only. “You can speak to your lawyers but not to anyone else,” the judge told Sullivan. Any breach could trigger contempt charges.
Prosecutor Don Therkildsen had requested that the victim’s assumed name and hospital be kept secret, citing the stepson’s fear of Sullivan. “He is at a medical facility and is terrified of this defendant,” Therkildsen said. “The allegations say he was literally almost dead when he escaped.” Sullivan’s counsel, Ioannis Kaloidis, countered that every defendant has the right to research the evidence against them and to confront the witness. He emphasized that no prior conviction or violation of a protective order exists against Sullivan.
Kaloidis also pointed out that the stepson’s fear is not a sufficient reason to withhold basic details from the defense. “There’s no legal basis to keep this from me,” he said. “Without the new name and location, I cannot prepare properly.” The judge noted Sullivan had no criminal record and was under a bail commission that watches her movements. She remains free on a $300,000 bond that requires her to wear a GPS ankle monitor.
A separate request to remove the ankle monitor was denied by the judge because the device had malfunctioned, according to the court filing. Sullivan’s security arrangements will stay in place for the duration of her trial.
The stepson’s lawyer, Eugene Riccio, argued for an opportunity to review the conditions of Sullivan’s release. Judge Klatt said a victim’s input is limited to specified stages, such as plea arguments or sentencing. Riccio stressed that safety concerns must be considered but clarified the victim can only intervene at those moments.
The stepson himself was rescued in February after he ignited a fire at the house to escape captivity. He was found severely emaciated, weighing only 68 pounds. An initial investigation suggested the fire was a deliberate act to gain freedom from what witness reports call a “house of horrors.” The victim is known only as “S” and is still under care.
The stepson’s biological mother, Tracy Vallerand, publicly criticized the court’s decision to allow the stepmother access to her son’s personal information. “We need to keep that away from my son,” Vallerand told reporters. “In situations like this, the person who is being protected should not face the looming threat of the alleged abuser.” She has reached out to her son but has not received a response.
Sullivan remains on bail and has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, unlawful restraint and related abuse charges. She is scheduled to return to court on December 19th. The case continues to attract attention as both sides prepare for trial, with the defense asserting that denying the stepmother access limits her ability to mount a robust challenge to the accusations.
Source: New York Post
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