A Connecticut woman has been arrested for allegedly holding her "severely emaciated" stepson in captivity at their home for over 20 years, since he was 11 years old, and forcing him to endure "prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment," police said.
"It's truly horrifying and beyond comprehension what occurred here. The young man's unimaginable suffering over the course of two decades is just a reminder of the darkness that does exist in our world," Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said at a press conference Thursday.
The now-32-year-old man is 5-foot-9 and weighed just 68 pounds when he was found, according to officials.
MORE: 4-year-old boy calls 911 after 'bad mom' eats his ice cream
The victim was discovered on Feb. 17, when Waterbury Police Department officers, along with personnel from the Waterbury Fire Department, responded to a report of an active fire at a residence at approximately 8:42 p.m.
The fire was quickly extinguished by authorities and two occupants were found inside the home at the time. The first person was identified as 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, the owner of the property who called authorities for help, and the second person was identified as a 32-year-old man who was later determined to be Sullivan's stepson.
Sullivan was evacuated to safety following the fire but the male occupant, who had suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire, had to be assisted from the home by Waterbury Fire Department personnel and was placed in the care of emergency medical services.
Investigators quickly realized there was a room in the house that appeared to have exterior locks on the door and, as they began speaking to the male victim, he disclosed he was being held captive in the house for approximately 20 years.
"While receiving medical care, the male victim disclosed to first responders that he had intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room, stating, 'I wanted my freedom,'" officials said in their statement regarding the case. "He further alleged that he had been held captive by Sullivan since he was approximately 11 years old."
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"It's truly horrifying and beyond comprehension what occurred here. The young man's unimaginable suffering over the course of two decades is just a reminder of the darkness that does exist in our world," Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said at a press conference Thursday.
The now-32-year-old man is 5-foot-9 and weighed just 68 pounds when he was found, according to officials.
MORE: 4-year-old boy calls 911 after 'bad mom' eats his ice cream
The victim was discovered on Feb. 17, when Waterbury Police Department officers, along with personnel from the Waterbury Fire Department, responded to a report of an active fire at a residence at approximately 8:42 p.m.
The fire was quickly extinguished by authorities and two occupants were found inside the home at the time. The first person was identified as 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, the owner of the property who called authorities for help, and the second person was identified as a 32-year-old man who was later determined to be Sullivan's stepson.
Sullivan was evacuated to safety following the fire but the male occupant, who had suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire, had to be assisted from the home by Waterbury Fire Department personnel and was placed in the care of emergency medical services.
Investigators quickly realized there was a room in the house that appeared to have exterior locks on the door and, as they began speaking to the male victim, he disclosed he was being held captive in the house for approximately 20 years.
"While receiving medical care, the male victim disclosed to first responders that he had intentionally set the fire in his upstairs room, stating, 'I wanted my freedom,'" officials said in their statement regarding the case. "He further alleged that he had been held captive by Sullivan since he was approximately 11 years old."
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