• A Connecticut man escaped after being held captive for over 20 years in a “house of horrors.”
• He was locked in a tiny storage room, deprived of food and water, and weighed just 68 pounds at rescue.
• The victim, now going by “S,” shared a powerful statement about reclaiming his identity.
• His stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, has been charged with kidnapping and assault but is out on bail.
• First responders and doctors have been aiding his recovery as he begins a new chapter in life.

A man who endured 20 years of captivity in a Connecticut house of horrors has broken his silence. Known only as “S,” the survivor has shared his story publicly for the first time since being rescued in February, calling the experience one of unimaginable cruelty.

New Name, New Life After Years In A House Of Horrors

Identifying himself simply as “S,” the 32-year-old explained that he was changing his name to reclaim control over his life. He had been held prisoner in his home since age 11, when his stepmother removed him from school after child welfare visits. “I’m a survivor of more than 20 years of captivity and domestic abuse,” he said in a statement.

Daily Abuse And Isolation Behind Closed Doors

Inside the house of horrors, “S” lived in an 8-by-9-foot room without access to basic needs. He said he drank from the toilet and ate scraps to stay alive. The abuse worsened after the death of his biological father in 2024. When he set fire to his room to escape, first responders found him weighing just 68 pounds and barely able to walk.

Stepmonster Kimberly Sullivan Charged With Abuse

Police charged 57-year-old Kimberly Sullivan with assault and kidnapping. Though she pleaded not guilty, authorities claim she deprived “S” of food, hygiene, and dignity for two decades. Sullivan allegedly forced him to eat from trash cans and denied him medical attention. She has been released after posting a $300,000 bond.

Survivor Thanks Rescuers, Begins Rebuilding

Since his rescue, “S” has celebrated his first birthday party and expressed gratitude to healthcare workers and donors supporting his recovery. “I am stronger than I was when I was carried out of that house,” he said. Donations to his GoFundMe are helping cover the costs of rebuilding his life after years of neglect.

Demands For Accountability Grow

Authorities are continuing to investigate how such prolonged abuse remained hidden for so long. “S” said he is speaking out to take back control of his life and hopes others trapped in similar conditions will be inspired to seek freedom. “This is just the beginning,” he wrote.