The lawyer for a woman accused of holding her stepson captive for two decades is pushing back against what he calls a “sensationalized” story that has shocked the nation.
Kimberly Sullivan, 55, was arrested last month after police discovered her 32-year-old stepson in an emaciated state following a house fire. Authorities say the man, weighing under 70 pounds, started the fire himself to escape what he called years of imprisonment in a small, windowless closet.
Sullivan faces serious charges, including first-degree assault, kidnapping, and cruelty to persons. But her attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, told Fox News Digital that his client is innocent and has been unfairly portrayed.
“I’ve seen the photos and videos, and I completely disagree with the way they’ve been presented,” Kaloidis said. “This case has turned her into public enemy number one. Her life has been turned upside down.”
According to police, the stepson claimed he had been kept in an 8-by-9-foot storage closet with no heat, no air conditioning, and no bathroom for 20 years. He said he was allowed out for only one or two hours a day and was given two sandwiches and two small bottles of water daily—one for drinking and one for bathing.
READ ALSO: Detroit Woman Arrested for Stabbing Dog and Posting Footage to Social Media
Authorities were alerted after the man allegedly set fire to the home in a desperate bid for freedom. He told first responders, “I wanted my freedom.”
Despite the disturbing details, Sullivan’s attorney said she was blindsided by the accusations.
“She lived a quiet life. This has been an extreme shock to her,” Kaloidis said. “She denies harming him, imprisoning him, or restraining him in any way.”
Sullivan is currently out on a $300,000 bond. Her attorney says the full story hasn’t been told and hopes the truth will come out in court.
“There’s a lot that will come out at trial,” Kaloidis added. “That’s where this should all be judged.”
