A Connecticut judge has ruled that Kimberly Sullivan, a Waterbury woman accused of imprisoning her stepson for more than two decades, may learn his current alias and address — information prosecutors had sought to keep secret out of concern for his safety.
The ruling came Friday in Waterbury Superior Court after hours of debate between attorneys. Judge Corinne Klatt granted the defense’s motion to obtain the information but warned that Sullivan could face contempt charges if she discloses it to anyone other than her legal counsel. Klatt instructed that Sullivan may only discuss the matter privately with her attorneys and said authorities would investigate any unauthorized release.
Prosecutors argued that revealing the alleged victim’s identity and location could endanger him. The man, now 32 and identified publicly only as “S,” has reportedly been living under a new name since escaping the Waterbury home earlier this year. He told investigators he had been confined there for roughly 20 years, denied adequate food, and subjected to neglect and abuse. Firefighters discovered him in February 2025 after he allegedly set a fire to signal for help. According to an arrest warrant, he weighed just 68 pounds when rescued.
Assistant State’s Attorney Donald Therkildsen told the court that “S” remains frightened of Sullivan and likened his circumstances to those of a domestic violence survivor housed in a confidential shelter. Prosecutors had asked that the man’s alias and address remain sealed, saying that releasing them to Sullivan could worsen his mental health and sense of security.
Sullivan, 57, faces a range of charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and reckless endangerment. She was arrested in March and later released on a $300,000 bond after pleading not guilty. Her attorneys maintain that she has complied with court orders and poses no risk to her stepson.
Defense attorney Ioannis Kaloidis argued that the court’s decision simply upholds constitutional standards. He said the defense must have access to the accuser’s identity and location to verify facts and prepare a complete case. “We’re following the rules of procedure and the rules of practice,” he told NBC News. He told other reporters that Sullivan does not intend to contact her stepson and that he will withhold any address information from her personally.
The judge also ordered prosecutors to share the alleged victim’s medical records with the defense under strict conditions. Those documents, which detail the man’s physical condition at the time of his rescue, can be reviewed only within the defense attorney’s office and solely for the purpose of trial preparation. Attorneys for “S” said their client continues to recover from years of trauma and remains anxious about the proceedings.
Sullivan will remain under GPS monitoring as part of her release conditions. Judge Klatt rejected a defense request to remove the tracking device but said the matter could be revisited at a later date. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for December 19, when prosecutors are expected to discuss a potential plea agreement.
Sources: News12 Connecticut, NBC News
