About Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case
For decades, was a man hiding in plain sight?
In Waterbury, Connecticut, a house on Blake Street seemed like just like any home, maybe a little unkept, but nothing too out of the ordinary. But in 2024, everything changed when a fire—and a stunning allegation—brought national attention to a home few had questioned.
A Waterbury man we'll refer to as "S" now claims he was held captive for 20 years by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan. Prosecutors say the abuse began when he was a child and continued for decades, unseen and unheard. Sullivan, however, says he was allowed to roam the house and denies allegations that she held him captive.
This podcast unpacks the case episode by episode: the early warning signs, the reports that raised red flags, what investigators say they discovered inside the house, and the moment authorities say the truth finally emerged.
Through court documents, exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, and expert insight, we examine not only what happened—or what may have happened—but how a person can allegedly disappear while still living in a neighborhood full of people.
And as the legal process moves forward, one question remains: What will this case look like in the court room when it goes to trial?
This is Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case by NBC Connecticut.
Kimberly Sullivan rejects plea deal as Waterbury captivity case heads to trial
The Waterbury captivity case is moving toward trial.
Kimberly Sullivan has rejected a plea offer and is preparing to stand trial on charges including kidnapping, assault, unlawful restraint and intentional cruelty to persons. Her attorney says she maintains her innocence and expects the trial to begin early next year.
Meanwhile, S is facing a separate legal hurdle as he lays the groundwork for a potential lawsuit against the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. His attorneys are seeking additional DCF records they say could shed light on the agency's past involvement in his case, while the state is seeking to have his claim dismissed.
In this episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, NBC Connecticut breaks down what happened in court, the dispute over DCF records, and what comes next for both cases.
28 Aug 2026
What happens to the house? Judge approves sale of 2 Blake Street in Waterbury
Another development in the Waterbury captivity case: a probate judge has approved the sale of 2 Blake Street, the home at the center of the case involving Kimberly Sullivan and her stepson, known publicly as “S.”
In this episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, NBC Connecticut’s Melissa Cooney breaks down what happened during the latest probate court hearing, why the home is being sold for $165,000, and what could happen to the proceeds from the sale.
We also reveal what newly obtained Waterbury police reports show about the property while it has sat vacant.
Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case follows the latest developments surrounding the case and the questions that remain.
4 Aug 2026
New plea offer revealed in Kimberly Sullivan case. Will she go to trial?
The legal battle in the Waterbury captivity case has reached a critical turning point.
A judge has offered Kimberly Sullivan a plea agreement that would suspend a 30-year sentence after 10 years—but her attorney says she has "done nothing wrong" and doesn't expect the case to end with any jail time.
NBC Connecticut's Melissa Cooney explains what happened in court, what the plea offer means, and why legal experts believe negotiations may not be over.
28 May 2026
COURT UPDATE: What's next for 2 Blake Street?
In this update on Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we take you inside a tense probate court hearing centered around 2 Blake Street, the Waterbury home at the heart of the case.
As questions grow about the future of the property, newly revealed court records and emotional testimony expose deeper scrutiny over how the estate of Kregg Sullivan has been handled since his death in 2024. The hearing focused on whether Kimberly Sullivan should control the estate and oversee the sale of the home tied to the case.
Instead, the judge made the decision to appoint an independent third party to take over, citing concerns about prior probate filings that failed to include S as an heir.
We break down the foreclosure lawsuit, the attempted sale of the property, the courtroom exchanges that shifted the tone of the hearing, and what the ruling means moving forward for both the estate and for the ongoing criminal case against Kimberly Sullivan.
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21 Apr 2026
7. The Road Ahead
In the final episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we break down the latest in the Kimberly Sullivan case, including recent court proceedings, and what’s happening in the discovery phase. Criminal defense attorney Trent LaLima joins us to explain possible plea deals, trial timelines, and the challenges of prosecuting decades-old allegations. Catch up on where the case stands now—and what could happen next.
14 Apr 2026
6. Life After the Fire
In this episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we focus on what happened after firefighters carried S from the home — and what we actually know about S’s condition today.
Since the fire in February 2025, details about his recovery have been scarce — by design. Court records have been sealed. His care is being managed by a conservator. And those closest to him say his story will be told — only when he’s ready.
We take you through the limited updates from investigators, legal filings, and the only statement S has released — in his own words.
7 Apr 2026
5. The Accused
In this episode, we turn the lens toward the woman at the center of the case: Kimberly Sullivan.
While “S” alleges he was held captive for two decades, Sullivan’s defense tells a very different story—one of wrongful accusation, weak evidence, and a rush to judgment. From her attorney’s forceful denials to a former coworker’s memories, this episode explores the stark divide between accusation and defense. Who is Kimberly Sullivan beyond the headlines?
31 Mar 2026
4. The Day Everything Changed
A house fire in Waterbury, Connecticut initially looked like a routine emergency. But the man firefighters carried out of the house told a story that was anything but routine. In this episode, we take you inside the February 2025 blaze at 2 Blake Street — a fire investigators say was intentionally set by a 31-year-old man known as “S,” who claimed he was desperate to escape. Through 911 audio, body camera footage, and firsthand accounts from firefighters, the night’s events come into sharper focus. As investigators try and piece together what happened -- this episode explores the moment everything changed.
24 Mar 2026
3. Behind Closed Doors
In this episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we break down what prosecutors say happened inside the home—and what the victim told police.
According to court documents, he described being locked away since early childhood, kept in a small room for up to 22 to 24 hours a day, with limited food, water. Investigators say his life became a “brutally consistent” cycle of isolation—cut off from the outside world, relying on a radio, a few books, and a calendar to track time.
He told police he was “kept a secret” his entire life.
This episode walks through his account—and the conditions he says led him to take a drastic step to set a fire in this room.
17 Mar 2026
1. The Boy Everyone Thought They Knew
In this first episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we look back at the early 2000s — when S was still a child. Neighbors remember rarely seeing him outside. Classmates recall signs that something seemed off. And a school principal says he raised concerns about the boy’s wellbeing years before he disappeared from the classroom.
What did people see?
Who tried to raise alarms?
And how did a child who was once part of a school community seemingly vanish for decades?
17 Mar 2026
2. Red Flags on the Record
In this episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we examine the reports, the records, and the warnings that surfaced while “S” was still a child.
A former elementary school principal says teachers repeatedly contacted the Connecticut Department of Children and Families after noticing troubling signs — a student who appeared constantly hungry, who searched for food, and who suddenly stopped showing up to class. Police were also called to check on the home.
Through interviews, incident reports, and a review of DCF’s internal findings, we trace the timeline of visits to the house on Blake Street — and the decisions made at the time.
Officials say investigators found no evidence of abuse. But decades later, questions remain about what was seen and what was reported.
11 Mar 2026
Coming Soon: Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case (Trailer)
For decades, was a man hiding in plain sight?
In Waterbury, Connecticut, a house on Blake Street seemed like just like any home, maybe a little unkept, but nothing too out of the ordinary. But in 2024, everything changed when a fire—and a stunning allegation—brought national attention to a home few had questioned.
A Waterbury man we'll refer to as "S" now claims he was held captive for 20 years by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan. Prosecutors say the abuse began when he was a child and continued for decades, unseen and unheard. Sullivan, however, says he was allowed to roam the house and denies allegations that she held him captive.
This podcast unpacks the case episode by episode: the early warning signs, the reports that raised red flags, what investigators say they discovered inside the house, and the moment authorities say the truth finally emerged.
Through court documents, exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, and expert insight, we examine not only what happened—or what may have happened—but how a person can allegedly disappear while still living in a neighborhood full of people.
And as the legal process moves forward, one question remains: What will this case look like in the court room when it goes to trial?
This is Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case by NBC Connecticut.
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