Connecticut Woman Released on Bail After Allegedly Imprisoning Stepson for Two Decades

A woman from Waterbury, Connecticut, has been released on bail after facing allegations of imprisoning her stepson for nearly twenty years. Kimberly S., 56, was granted bail set at $300,000 following her arrest on Wednesday. The man, now 32 years old, had reportedly managed to escape his confinement in mid-February by setting a fire in their home, prompting his rescue by firefighters.

Upon his rescue, he expressed a strong desire for freedom, leading police to initiate an investigation into his claims of long-term captivity. Investigators revealed that the man had been held against his will since he was eleven years old, suffering severe malnourishment and abuse. At the time of his rescue, he weighed a mere 31 kilograms.

According to reports, the man was initially confined to a room at night before being kept there continuously after being withdrawn from school. The room was described as being approximately seven square meters in size and lacking proper heating. He had reportedly been deprived of food for most of his life, leading to his dire physical condition.

In a sworn statement, the victim indicated that he had been perpetually hungry, stating that he felt hunger every single day of his life. Teachers and school officials had raised concerns about his wellbeing when he was younger, noting his frequent hunger and attempts to scavenge for food from trash bins. Despite these warnings, authorities reportedly failed to act on numerous reports regarding the boy's safety.

As of now, the woman's attorney has denied all allegations against her, asserting that she intends to plead not guilty at her scheduled court appearance on March 26. It has been reported that she is currently living at an undisclosed location and is not required to wear a monitoring device.

The case has drawn significant media attention, with prosecutors comparing it to a horror story due to the extreme nature of the alleged abuse and neglect. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover further details surrounding the circumstances of the victim's long-term imprisonment.