In an effort starting last month, a nonprofit set a modest $10 thousand goal for a GoFundMe fundraiser benefitting the Waterbury man who says he was held captive by his stepmother for 20 years.
With international attention focused on the case, that fundraiser is smashing expectations.
Wednesday afternoon, it surpassed a revised goal of $240 thousand. As a result, another goal has been set: $270 thousand.
“It’s been a global reach for us,” says Amanda Nardozzi, executive director of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, the nonprofit behind the fundraiser. “We’ve had so many people donating from everywhere… Australia, U.K., California… just really all over. It’s nice to see that the community is able to come together in that way.”
Nardozzi says the man’s condition is improving:
“He’s medically stable, and he is in need of further p.t. (physical therapy) efforts, as his legs weren’t getting good support. So, he’ll be going for active p.t. and through the rehab process.”
Safe Haven works with the victims of domestic abuse, and picked up the captivity case when the man was rescued after a February fire.
“This aligns right in with what we do on a daily basis,” says Nardozzi, “helping survivors with anything they need, from counseling services to advocacy to financial resources.”
As part of helping the alleged victim establish his new life, the nonprofit has worked with a conservator to establish a trust for him. Much of the money raised will go towards medical expenses:
“Things that may not be covered by medical insurance. Once Medicaid is able to kick in… those bills that have come prior to him getting on the state insurance would need to be covered. So, we’re actively trying to work to get that resolved quickly for him.”
He’s rehabilitating at an undisclosed location. He was discovered in severely disheveled and emaciated condition after he set fire to the family home, successfully gaining his freedom.
His stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, is charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment. She remains free on $300 thousand bond, wearing a GPS monitor for tracking.
