Sister of Connecticut ‘House of Horrors’ Victim Tells Police She Was Sexually Abused for Much of Her Life

A disturbing new allegation has emerged in the Connecticut case involving a man who authorities say was held captive inside his family home for more than two decades. The half-sister of the alleged victim reportedly told police that she had been sexually assaulted for a significant portion of her life. Her disclosure has added another troubling dimension to the investigation surrounding Kimberly Sullivan, 57, who is accused of imprisoning her stepson in a Waterbury home for years.

According to court documents cited in reports, the woman made the statement to police approximately two weeks after her mother’s arrest in March 2025. She reportedly said she had recently disclosed the alleged abuse to a psychiatrist and described struggling with the effects of trauma. In her statement, she also mentioned experiencing “brain fog” and difficulty remembering many events from her past. She recalled feeling controlled and conditioned by her mother, as well as memories involving interactions with her brother. The court filing does not identify the person she accused of sexually assaulting her or specify when the alleged incidents occurred.

The allegations became public after Sullivan’s defense attorney requested access to the daughter’s confidential counseling and other records. The defense argued that the documents could contain information relevant to the case and potentially affect the woman’s credibility as a witness. The request has raised difficult questions about the privacy of the daughter’s treatment records and whether any of that information should be considered during Sullivan’s upcoming trial. A judge is reviewing the matter, and the records have not simply been made public.

Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo confirmed that the sexual assault allegation is being investigated. He described it as an open investigation and noted that an investigation can continue even if a potential suspect has died. The court filing does not identify the alleged perpetrator, and authorities have not publicly established who may have been responsible. That distinction is important as investigators work to determine what happened and whether additional criminal conduct occurred.

The broader case centers on Sullivan’s stepson, who was 32 when he escaped from the family home in March 2025 by setting a fire, according to police. Investigators allege that he had been confined for years, beginning when he was around 11, and was kept inside a room for as many as 22 hours a day. When authorities found him, he was reportedly severely malnourished and weighed approximately 68 pounds. Sullivan has been charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful restraint and intentional cruelty. She has denied the accusations and pleaded not guilty.

Sullivan remains free on bond while awaiting trial, which is expected to begin in February 2027. If convicted, she could face up to 45 years in prison. Meanwhile, the newly disclosed allegation involving her daughter remains under investigation, separate from the charges concerning her stepson. As the legal proceedings move forward, investigators and the court must examine both the alleged years of captivity and the additional claims without treating unproven allegations as established facts.

Source: PEOPLE