State prosecutors are looking to strengthen bail conditions for the Waterbury stepmother accused of holding her husband’s son captive for twenty years.
Kimberly Sullivan made a brief court appearance Wednesday morning at Waterbury Superior Court. She remains free on $300,000 bond, but prosecutors are asking the judge to add electronic monitoring with house arrest or GPS monitoring, saying “the current conditions of release are insufficient to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court.” The issue will be taken up at a hearing on Friday.
“It’s just disgusting that she’s allowed to be on the streets right now,” says the victim’s biological mother, Tracy Vallerand of Meriden.
The 32-year-old victim was described as emaciated and disheveled when he was rescued from a fire at the Sullivan home last month. Police say the victim set the fire to attract the attention of first responders, leading to his escape from the home where he was held since the 4th grade.
The unusual case has gained international attention. Sullivan’s defense attorney, John Kaloidis, argues that his client has been convicted in the media.
“Those allegations are serious, but those allegations are made by one person,” says Kaloidis. “I understand the whole world has jumped on those allegations and has already convicted my client. But the good thing about America is: that’s not how we work.”
Sullivan, 56, is charged with assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment.
Vallerand attended the hearing. She gave up custody of the baby boy to his father, Kregg Sullivan, who died last year.
Shut out by Kregg from gaining any information about the boy, Vallerand says she attempted to search for him over the years:
“We tried doing searches, my daughter and myself. I went through high school yearbooks, there was nothing there. Even if you were to type his name in on any search engine, you’re not going to find anything.”
The victim is recovering at an undisclosed location. Vallerand looks forward to meeting him, if and when he’s ready, saying, “When he’s healthier and he’s stronger, if he wants a relationship with me, I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
The victim’s half-sister also attended Wednesday’s hearing. Heather Tessman last saw the victim when he was a baby and has “always” wondered about him.
“Everybody failed him. He deserved so much more,” says Tessman.
