The woman, accused of capturing her son-in-law for 20 years in Waterbury, Connecticut, is suing the judge’s ruling that she must wear a GPS ankle monitor while releasing bail.
Ionis Caroujis, the lawyer representing Kimberly Sullivan, wrote on April 7 that Sullivan’s constitutional rights to the legitimate constitutional process had been violated.
According to the application, on March 12, Waterbury Superior Court Judge Corinne Klatt ordered Sullivan’s bail to be set at $300,000, without any other conditions except “intensive pretrial oversight.”
Kim Sullivan, charged with negligence, is standing with her attorney Ioannis Kaloyd during her arrest in Waterbury Superior Court in Waterbury, Connecticut on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (via Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media, AP, pool)
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“In light of the 56-year-old’s lack of criminal history, lifelong residence in Waterbury, and 12 years of education and lack of income, the bail committee requested a $300,000 bond,” the filing states. “The defendant, through her lawyer, highlighted her work history, residence and absence of criminal history, and argued for a promise that appears on non-financial terms.”
According to the filing, when Sullivan appeared in court the following day before Kuratt, the bail terms remained the same despite the state asking for a GPS monitor to post bail.
The state then filed a motion to change Sullivan’s bail terms.
At a March 28 hearing, which was discussed before another judge, Waterbury Superior Court Judge Joseph Schwartz, the state said Sullivan was flight risk “due to her being faced with serious jail time,” and “the case became stronger as additional witnesses advanced.”
Kimberly Sullivan was taken into custody at the Waterbury Police Station on March 12th. (Waterbury Police Station)
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Ultimately, Schwartz determined that there was enough evidence to order her to wear a GPS monitor, based on new information that Sullivan was undergoing mental health treatment.
But Sullivan’s lawyer said that wasn’t true.
“The trial court hearing on a state motion to amend the conditions for the defendant’s release was not suppressed from the proceeding requirements or procedures directed by the Connecticut Supreme Court,” the filing states. “The state failed to determine that actual evidence would result in the court that the defendant’s then existing terms of release were not sufficient to ensure their existence in the court or to protect the safety of the petitioner or the citizen.”
The image provided by the Waterbury Police Department shows a home where a Connecticut man told authorities that his stepmother had captured him for 20 years because he was a boy. (Waterbury Police Station via AP)
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Ultimately, the petition called on the Connecticut Court of Appeals to destroy the March 28 decision that Sullivan must wear a GPS monitor.
Pattis and Paz, LLC, is a law firm that handles appeals.
“We are held to process Sullivan’s claim for a bond review with Connecticut’s Apaerate Court and will address changes made to her terms of release after her arrest,” Attorney Brittany Paz said in a statement. “In our view, there is a strong argument that the amendments were made due to the public’s attention and desire to punishment, not because of the real concern about their willingness to appear in court.”
Kimberly Sullivan was arrested for allegedly abused her step-son in Waterbury, Home, Connecticut. (Jim Shannon/Hurst Connecticut Media via AP)
“The malnourished man was captured by his stepmother for decades and escaped, setting the house on fire and running away: “I wanted my own freedom.”
“We further believe that the blatant attempt at the Apple, before another judge, in the second bite, violates the principles previously set forth when our office sued State v. Pan. We look forward to Mr. Sullivan’s release and restoration of the original terms based on the law.
According to Sullivan’s arrest warrant, her son-in-law, identified as “male victim 1,” was 8ft x 9ft storage closet without windows There is no air conditioning or heat and no bathroom access for 20 years. He said it was kept in a closet 22-24 hours a day.
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He said he was allowed two sandwiches and two small water bottles every day. The man told police he used water bottles and newspapers to dispose of the waste. The man weighed less than 70 pounds when the first responder found him after the fire.
The allegations came to light after a fire at Sullivan’s home. The warrant told police that Sullivan’s son-in-law had purposely set the fire because he wanted his freedom.
