Kimberly Sullivan, a 57‑year‑old woman from Waterbury, Connecticut, was allowed to return to her family home after a court lifted a protection order that had kept her away for months. The ruling came after her former stepson—known only as “S”—had been rescued from the house in February, when he set fire in an attempt to escape.
The Waterbury house had been badly damaged by the blaze. Most rooms have been reduced to bare beams and riddled with loose wires, broken glass, and leftover debris. A photo of a half‑melted Marilyn Monroe poster hung over the kitchen counter, while one other room, still standing, was painted bright magenta with odd artwork and a pink “Lazy Days” cat poster. A doll with a blonde wig guard‑ed the corner of that room, giving the place a bizarre, almost carnival‑like feel.
For years, “S” said he was kept in a cramped 8‑by‑9‑foot storage area while Sullivan, who would later be charged with unlawful restraint, kidnapping and abuse, kept him isolated from school and society. He described being locked there for over 20 years, eating only scraps of food and water, and watching cars from the window while living in a cramped space. A rain‑stained lace angel’s wing was later found attached to the wood where he spent his days.
When firefighters reached the house on February 17, “S” was overweight and covered in grime. The fire, believed to have been set by him, sparked a large investigation. Sullivan was arrested within weeks, charged with multiple accusations, and pleaded not‑guilty.
After posting $300,000 bail, a judge granted her release, but the court also issued a protective order that listed the Waterbury home as “S”’s address. This order barred Sullivan from entering the property, so she filed a motion to change it. On October 3, a judge ruled in the motion, allowing the stepmother to return to the house.
Neighbors reported a lack of activity in the home after the protection order was lifted. One neighbor, Zeffrey Guarnera, said he hadn’t seen Sullivan since “he posted bail.” He added that “S”’s presence was a surprise to him, as he had never met the boy before.
Sullivan’s lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, has maintained that her client never committed a crime and that the boy could have left at any time. “This is a woman who has never committed a crime in her life,” Kaloidis said after a court date Wednesday. Sullivan is scheduled to appear again on Halloween.
The case continues to attract attention as the court reexamines the allegations of abuse and containment, while the damaged Waterbury house remains a stark reminder of the events that unfolded there.
Source: New York Post
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