Mother of Alleged Captivity Victim Condemns Stepmother in Waterbury Case
WATERBURY, CT – In a dramatic turn in the ongoing captivity case, the biological mother of a man who alleges he was held against his will for two decades publicly criticized the stepmother accused of egregious abuse. Tracy Vallerand spoke out Wednesday, expressing her intense animosity towards Kimberly Sullivan, the woman charged with mistreating her son. Vallerand also addressed her decision to relinquish custody of her son shortly after his birth, offering context to the complex family situation now under scrutiny.
Vallerand’s Emotional Outburst Against Accused Stepmother
“I harbor no ill will towards people in general,” Vallerand stated, focusing her ire on Kimberly Sullivan. “But her, I despise.”
Sullivan’s Court Appearance and Charges
Kimberly Sullivan, 56, made a brief court appearance which concluded before she could formally respond to the severe charges of cruelty and kidnapping. She is currently released on a $300,000 bond following accusations of forcing her stepson to reside in a cramped, approximately 72-square-foot room, secured from the outside.
Sullivan exited the courthouse rapidly, entering a waiting vehicle, while her two daughters, the alleged victim’s half-sisters, moved swiftly towards another car.
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Mother Explains Difficult Decision, Expresses Regret
Vallerand, 52, accompanied by her daughter, Heather Tessman, attended the court proceedings.
She informed reporters that she made the difficult choice to give up her son when he was just six months old, entrusting his upbringing to his father, Kraigg Sullivan, and his new spouse, Kimberly.
“Our relationship did not succeed, and I believed I was providing my son with a better chance at a fulfilling life. Had I known… what… it’s incomprehensible to me. I am without words,” Vallerand conveyed, according to NBC Connecticut reports.
Desperate Attempts to See Her Son
“I was informed of a park where Kraigg supposedly took him for walks. I frequented that park, spending hours in hopes of catching a glimpse of him. I never did,” she recounted.
Search After 18th Birthday and Shocking Discovery of Captivity
Vallerand revealed she attempted to locate her son after he reached the age of 18, but discovered he had no social media presence. Unbeknownst to her at the time, law enforcement officials indicate he had already been subjected to confinement for at least seven years, allegedly removed from school and imprisoned in the home at the age of 11.
Questions Raised About Family’s Awareness
“It’s beyond belief. And to think her two daughters were also living in the house,” she questioned. “What was their role? Were they waiting for him to perish? What was their plan then?” Vallerand pondered aloud.
Half-Sister’s Condemnation of Stepmother’s Actions
“Her actions are inhumane. She cannot be allowed to evade accountability for this,” stated Tessman, the victim’s half-sister, vehemently.
Defense Attorney Argues for Presumption of Innocence
Following the hearing, Sullivan’s legal representative, Ioannis A. Kaloidis, explained that the proceedings were adjourned until Friday at the state’s request to implement electronic monitoring.
When questioned about Sullivan’s apparent shock at the accusations—despite the fact that her adult stepson had allegedly been unseen for 20 years and weighed a mere 68 pounds upon discovery by authorities—Kaloidis asserted that the onus is on the state to substantiate the charges against his client.
“Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty”
“The strength of our legal system lies in its principles,” Kaloidis emphasized. “The state has put forth allegations. It is the state’s responsibility to substantiate these allegations in a court of law. While these are severe accusations, they originate from a single source.”
“I recognize that public opinion has swiftly judged and convicted my client,” he continued. “However, the cornerstone of American justice is the presumption of innocence until guilt is established in court.”
Defense Highlights Allegations vs. Facts
“Currently, they remain simply allegations,” he reiterated. “It is regrettable that she has faced global condemnation and there is a rush to judgment, but we adhere to a system. She is entitled to her rights.”