House of Horrors: MOMENT of Escape From 20 Years of Abuse

The 32-year-old gave investigators a terrifying play-by-play of how he set fire to his Waterbury, Conn., home on Feb. 17 in a bid to escape.

Trapped for 20 years inside a burning house of horrors

A 32-year-old man escaped a house of horrors in Waterbury, Connecticut, after setting the home on fire. Police say he had been locked in a tiny room for two decades, enduring starvation and abuse. Weighing just 69 pounds, he was finally rescued from the flames by firefighters.

Escape turns into a dramatic rescue

On February 17, the desperate man set fire to the house to save himself. Flames quickly engulfed the property, forcing his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, to flee. First responders rushed to the scene and pulled him from the inferno.

Footage from the rescue captured Sullivan speaking to emergency personnel. “My stepson is in here. I’m trying to have them help him out,” she said. Moments later, firefighters carried the frail man out of the house of horrors and into an ambulance.

Years of suffering inside the house

Investigators uncovered shocking details of his imprisonment. The victim had been locked inside an 8-foot-by-9-foot room since childhood, with no heat or ventilation. He survived on only two sandwiches and a small amount of water daily.

In school, he resorted to stealing food or eating from the trash to avoid starvation. His suffering worsened after his father died last year, leaving him entirely in Sullivan’s control.

Police and community rally behind house of horrors survivor

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo confirmed officers and residents are stepping up to support the victim. Donations have provided him with clothing and essentials, but his physical and mental recovery will be a long process.

“This is one of the most disturbing cases we have ever seen,” Spagnolo said. “We are doing everything possible to help him rebuild his life.”

Stepmother denies allegations

Despite overwhelming evidence, Sullivan denies the charges. Her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, claims she is innocent.

“She completely rejects these accusations. The allegations are false,” Kaloidis said.

Sullivan was released on $300,000 bail after her court appearance. She is set to return to court on March 26, where more evidence will be presented.

House of horrors investigation continues

The house of horrors case has horrified the community, and authorities are still gathering information. Prosecutors urge anyone with details to come forward as they prepare for trial.

For the victim, this rescue marks the beginning of a long journey toward justice and healing.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.