Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case

In this first episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we look back at the early 2000s — when S was still a child. Neighbors remember rarely seeing him outside. Classmates recall signs that something seemed off. And a school principal says he raised concerns about the boy’s wellbeing years before he disappeared from the classroom. What did people see? Who tried to raise alarms? And how did a child who was once part of a school community seemingly vanish for decades? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case, we examine the reports, the records, and the warnings that surfaced while “S” was still a child. A former elementary school principal says teachers repeatedly contacted the Connecticut Department of Children and Families after noticing troubling signs — a student who appeared constantly hungry, who searched for food, and who suddenly stopped showing up to class. Police were also called to check on the home. Through interviews, incident reports, and a review of DCF’s internal findings, we trace the timeline of visits to the house on Blake Street — and the decisions made at the time. Officials say investigators found no evidence of abuse. But decades later, questions remain about what was seen and what was reported. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For decades, was a man hiding in plain sight? In Waterbury, Connecticut, a house on Blake Street seemed like just like any home, maybe a little unkept, but nothing too out of the ordinary. But in 2024, everything changed when a fire—and a stunning allegation—brought national attention to a home few had questioned. A Waterbury man we'll refer to as "S" now claims he was held captive for 20 years by his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan. Prosecutors say the abuse began when he was a child and continued for decades, unseen and unheard. Sullivan, however, says he was allowed to roam the house and denies allegations that she held him captive. This podcast unpacks the case episode by episode: the early warning signs, the reports that raised red flags, what investigators say they discovered inside the house, and the moment authorities say the truth finally emerged. Through court documents, exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, and expert insight, we examine not only what happened—or what may have happened—but how a person can allegedly disappear while still living in a neighborhood full of people. And as the legal process moves forward, one question remains: What will this case look like in the court room when it goes to trial? This is Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case by NBC Connecticut. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.