Connecticut
Judge grants Connecticut woman accused of holding stepson captive access to new alias, address
A judge granted a motion on Friday allowing the Connecticut woman accused of holding her stepson captive for over two decades to access his alias, address and medical records, her attorney said.
Kimberly Sullivan appeared in Waterbury court on Friday to request the information, which her attorneys argued she has a constitutional right to access.
Sullivan was arrested and arraigned in March on charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful restraint and other crimes in connection with her stepson’s alleged captivity. She is out on bond, which was set at $300,000, and has pleaded not guilty.
On Friday, a judge granted the defense’s motion to give Sullivan access to her stepson’s alias and address. The judge also granted their motion to preclude the stepson’s attorney from addressing the court about anything other than the plea and sentencing, according to Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis.
Kaloidis told NBC News that the ruling granting his client access to information about the alleged victim “was the only logical conclusion to reach.”
“We argued to the court that this wasn’t about his feelings, but about the rules of procedure and the rules of practice,” Kaloidis said. “In the Constitution, it is standard in every criminal case to disclose the name and address of witnesses, especially the accuser.”
The stepson told authorities that he intentionally set a fire in his room on Feb. 17 to secure his freedom from the home he shared with Sullivan, according to court records. The man, then 31, alleged that his stepmother starved him and held him captive in a small, locked room in the house for more than two decades.
Authorities found the man severely emaciated, about 68 pounds on his 5-foot-9 frame, and said he had been subjected to “prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect and inhumane treatment.” The defense has cast doubt on the now 32-year-old’s weight at the time he was found.
The stepson has never been publicly identified. Earlier this year, he spoke out for the first time and addressed himself as “S,” a decision he said marks “the first of many choices” he will make now that he’s free.
Donald Therkildsen, the supervisory assistant state’s attorney, told the court Friday that the “victim is terrified of this defendant,” NBC Connecticut reported.
“The allegations are that he was almost dead when he made his escape after being locked for 20 years,” Therkildsen said. “This is no different than a domestic violence victim being at a safe haven home. We certainly wouldn’t disclose the address of a safe haven home to a domestic violence abuser.”
Attorneys for Sullivan had filed a request to obtain the stepson’s medical records, which the state said it would allow under certain conditions, including that the victim’s alias and address be withheld from the defendant, according to a filing in Connecticut’s Superior Court, Judicial District of Waterbury.
Sullivan’s attorneys filed an objection days later, arguing that their client has a constitutional right to access her stepson’s alias and address, that she has not harassed the man, and that the nature of the legal proceedings do not warrant withholding this information.
The state defended its position in a memorandum filed last week, saying that withholding the information “does not lower the burden of proof or obstruct the defendant’s right to confrontation.”
“Disclosure of the victim’s current alias to the defendant would only increase the potential for harassment and harm with respect to the victim’s mental health,” the state said in the memorandum.
Attorneys for Sullivan hit back in a filing earlier this week, once again defending their client’s compliance with the conditions of her release, and arguing that the state’s motion “represents an unprecedented attempt to insulate an accuser from the normal processes of adversarial justice.”
The judge on Friday did grant a request from the state ensuring the stepson’s medical records only be viewed in the office of the defense for the purposes of the case, NBC Connecticut reported.
Also on Friday, the judge denied a motion from Sullivan’s attorneys filed in August asking the court to remove her GPS tracker. The judge said the issue can be revisited later on.
The next hearing is set for Dec. 19, according to Kaloidis.
Connecticut
‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury
DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Danbury drivers can expect hours-long closures on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning after a “serious” crash, according to local police.
Police said the morning crash has caused closures in both directions at the Ridgefield Line (Bennetts Farm Road) and at Miry Brook Road.
The road is expected to close for approximately three to four hours, police said.
Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes, including George Washington Highway and Route 53.
There are no words on injuries.
Additional information was not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.
Connecticut
Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”
Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.
Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.
“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.
Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.
Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Connecticut
Milford business celebrating 50th anniversary
Chip Rubenstein, owner of Chip’s Auto Sales of Milford, says he’s honored to celebrate the dealership’s 50th anniversary alongside America’s 250th birthday.
“I opened Chip’s Auto Sales in 1976, during a chaotic time for our nation in the world,” said Rubenstein, “50 years later, I am so proud of the legacy I’ve created as somebody who always tried his best to do right, and to serve my community proudly.”
-
Detroit, MI21 minutes agoDetroit Sandwich Party returns to Eastern Market on Sept. 6
-
San Francisco, CA33 minutes agoA Leak of San Francisco Police Drone Footage Exposes the New Reality of Urban Surveillance
-
Dallas, TX39 minutes agoViral East Dallas coffee shop fears major sales drop amid six-week road closure
-
Miami, FL45 minutes ago3 hurt in fire on Lincoln Road that started underground
-
Boston, MA51 minutes agoRideshare driver charged in Logan airport passenger assault to appear in court
-
Denver, CO57 minutes agoDenver area events for July 13
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoWhat could the Seattle Seahawks look like under new owners?
-
San Diego, CA1 hour agoSports Night: Padres End 1st Half on Good Note, Midseason Grades, Manny Heats Up