Captivity Claim: Man's Lawsuit Against DCF Faces Dismissal

The Office of the Claims Commissioner is set to hear arguments regarding a request by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) to dismiss a claim filed by a man, referred to as "S." This claim stems from allegations that he was held captive by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, for two decades in Waterbury. The conservator for "S" aims to sue DCF for personal injury and breach of duty of care.

State officials contend that the claim should be dismissed because it was submitted well after the statute of limitations expired, with the deadline reportedly passing around 2008. However, "S's" legal team argues that their client remained under the family's control during that period. They assert that "S" was a "malnourished, and psychologically damaged" 15-year-old child in 2008 and was legally incapacitated from filing any claim until he regained his freedom.

Sullivan, 57, was arrested in March and charged with offenses including assault and kidnapping. Police reports described the man as extremely emaciated and in poor health. Despite the allegations, Sullivan denied keeping the victim confined. This case has intensified scrutiny on DCF, which had previously investigated six neglect reports concerning the boy between 1996 and 2005, but found insufficient evidence to substantiate them or remove him from the home.