The biological mother of a man allegedly held captive for 20 years by his stepmother in Waterbury, Connecticut, expressed her anger towards the accused in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Tracy Vallerand, who lost custody of her son at six months old, criticized his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, labeling her as the “lowest of the low.”
Vallerand, who prefers to refer to Sullivan as “it” instead of acknowledging her humanity, stated that Sullivan poses a flight risk and should not have been granted bail.
Tracy Vallerand, the biological mother of the Waterbury man allegedly held captive by stepmother Kimberly Sullivan for over two decades, speaks to the media outside the state Superior Court in Waterbury after Sullivan’s appearance on March 26, 2025. (Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)
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Sullivan was released from custody on a $300,000 bond following her arrest on March 12 and must wear a GPS ankle monitor. Her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, has recently filed a request to lift the ankle monitor requirement.
“He deserves justice and needs to know that people care about him,” Vallerand said about her son. “At 32 years old, he needs to reclaim his life. It’s tragic on so many levels.”
Vallerand also criticized Kaloidis.
“He’s doing a decent job for her, but his clientele is at the lowest end,” she remarked. “It’s sad that he aims to represent such individuals. I couldn’t sleep at night knowing that.”
Kimberly Sullivan has been accused of child abuse in her Waterbury, Conn., residence. (Associated Press; Waterbury Police)
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Allegedly, Sullivan confined her 32-year-old stepson — Vallerand’s biological son — in a windowless 8-foot by 9-foot storage closet without heating, cooling, or bathroom access for 20 years.
He was reportedly trapped in the closet for 22 to 24 hours each day, receiving minimal food and water, and weighed only 68 pounds when he escaped by deliberately setting the house on fire on February 27.
The residence where a Connecticut man claimed his stepmother held him captive for two decades since childhood. (Waterbury Police Department via AP)
In March, Sullivan faced charges including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Vallerand mentioned that she attempted to reconnect with her son multiple times during his childhood, but his father, Kregg Sullivan, prevented it.
Kregg passed away last year.
Once her son turned 18, Vallerand searched online to find him, but couldn’t locate any information, leading her to fear the worst.
“The thoughts that come to mind when you can’t find someone who’s an adult, especially in today’s age of social media, are quite alarming. It’s unusual to find no online trace,” she said. “Did he run away? So many scenarios crossed my mind. The absence of any death records assured me that he was still alive.”
She acknowledged that her son’s father wasn’t tech-savvy, surmising that her son might have inherited that trait.
Kimberly Sullivan is taken into custody by Waterbury Police on March 12. (Waterbury Police Department)
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Kaloidis has previously denied the claims against his client in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“This has shocked her profoundly,” he claimed regarding Sullivan. “She had a relatively peaceful life. Her perspective is straightforward: she did not harm him, restrain him, or imprison him.”
Kaloidis refrained from further comments via a spokesperson.
Ioannis Kaloidis, attorney for Kimberly Sullivan, speaks with Fox News Digital. (Fox News)
Recently, Sullivan’s stepson publicly shared his thoughts, using the name “S.”
“I am so much better and stronger than I was when the first responders carried me out of my home. I am incredibly grateful for the care I received since then,” he stated. “To all the health care professionals who have assisted and supported me, thank you. Furthermore, I cherished having my very first birthday party to celebrate turning 32.”
“I also want to express my gratitude to the first responders, law enforcement, and everyone working to hold accountable those who abused me,” he continued.
“Much has already been said that recounts part of my abuse history. Someday, my complete story will likely be revealed.
“I request that everyone involved in my narrative fully cooperate with the authorities seeking justice on my behalf for these crimes. I also ask the public and media to respect the ongoing investigations and my privacy during this process. This is not just a story; it’s my life.”
