New Charges Filed Against ‘House of Horrors’ Suspect in Shocking Stepson Captivity Case: Denial of Allegations Continues

A woman from Connecticut has been hit with more charges related to allegedly keeping her stepson captive in what has been described as a “house of horrors” for 20 years.

Kimberly Sullivan, 57, now faces two counts of first-degree kidnapping, in addition to charges of assault, intentional cruelty, and unlawful restraint, as reported by Court TV.

These charges mirror those she initially encountered last year, but have been revised to incorporate new findings in the ongoing investigation.

During a bond hearing at Waterbury Superior Court on March 13, 2025, Sullivan appeared alongside her lawyer, Jason Spilka. (Photo by Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool)

“These allegations were false then, and they remain false now,” said Sullivan’s attorney, Ionnis Kalodis, according to reports.

Sullivan is accused of locking her stepson in a storage closet for at least 22 hours a day since he was 11 years old in March 1996, according to court records. The stepson, referred to as “S” in court documents, was 32 years old when Sullivan was arrested. 

A police affidavit revealed S told investigators he was fed only two sandwiches and one water bottle each day, and was provided with a second water bottle “for bathing.”

Kimberly Sullivan was arrested after allegedly abusing her stepson in their Waterbury, Connecticut home. (Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

This image provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows the home where a Connecticut man told authorities his stepmother held him captive for two decades since he was a boy. (Waterbury Police Department via AP)

In February 2025, S lit Sullivan’s Waterbury house on fire to escape captivity. He was just 68 pounds when firefighters pulled him from the burning building. 

Last year, Sullivan was granted access to her stepson’s new identity, medical records and current address after asking a judge to hand over the information, according to WFSB.

Kimberly Sullivan is taken into custody by the Waterbury Police Department on March 12. (Waterbury Police Department)

“The state’s position, stripped of its appeal to ‘victim’ protection, amounts to this: the accuser may assume a new identity, relocate to an undisclosed address, and the defendant charged with serious felonies arising from their decades-long relationship must be kept in the dark,” Kaloidis reportedly argued in the court filing.

The move sent shockwaves throughout S’s family, with the victim’s biological mother blasting the request from Sullivan’s defense team.

This image provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows the home where a Connecticut man told authorities his stepmother held him captive for two decades since he was a boy. (Waterbury Police Department via AP)

“If you look at any domestic violence situation, you’re not going to let the person who is being the evil person around the one who needs to be protected,” Tracy Vallerand told the New York Post. 

“It’s appalling that they even had the audacity to request that.”

Vallerand reportedly gave up custody of S decades ago, leaving the child with her ex, who died in 2024, and Sullivan. 

Sullivan has pleaded guilty to all charges and remains free on $300,000 as she awaits trial.

Sullivan’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.