那个男人据称被囚禁在康涅狄格州的家中生活了20多年的他说，与二月份急救人员将他抬出住所的那天相比，他“好多了，强壮多了”。
据官员称，2月17日，当局在接到住宅失火的报告后，在沃特伯里的家中发现了这名“严重瘦弱”的5英尺9英寸(约1.25米)男子，当时他的体重只有68磅。官员们说，这名男子告诉急救人员，他故意在自己的房间里放火，并声称他的继母从他11岁起就囚禁了他。
“我是20多年被囚禁和家庭虐待的幸存者。从我11岁被从四年级带出来开始，我就被囚禁在家里，直到两个月前31岁的时候，我故意放了一把火，让我获得了自由，”他在关于此事的第一份公开声明中说。“我今天大声疾呼，开始重塑我的生活，并对如何讲述我的故事拥有发言权。”
该声明于周二通过他的志愿发言人，幸存者说组织的大卫·瓜里诺发布。
这位现年32岁的男子在声明中称自己是“S”，他说，“这不是我出生时父母给我起的名字。我正在为自己选择一个新名字，当我重新掌控自己的生活和未来时，我将使用这个名字。我的名字是我的选择，它是我现在自由后将为自己做出的许多选择中的第一个。”
“S”感谢第一反应人员和执法人员以及医疗保健专业人员“帮助和培养了我。”
“除了你所有的关心，我很感激有机会举办我的第一个生日聚会来庆祝我32岁了，”他说。
他还感谢公众的祈祷和对GoFundMe筹款活动的捐款，该活动由Greater Waterbury的Safe Haven组织，已筹集了近27万美元。该非营利组织表示，这些资金将用于支付医疗和牙科护理，身体和情绪恢复的咨询和治疗，住房和日常生活费用以及法律费用的支持。
“关于我所遭受的虐待，已经说了很多。“有一天，也许我的整个故事都会被人知道，”“S”说。“我要求与我的故事有关的每一个人与帮助我为这些罪行寻求正义的当局充分合作。我也要求公众和媒体在这个过程中尊重这些调查和我的隐私。这不仅仅是一个故事。这是我的生活。”
他的继母金伯利·沙利文被捕，面临多项指控，包括非法限制、鲁莽危害、袭击和绑架。她不服罪。
沙利文的律师为他的当事人辩护说，应该对此负责的是受害者已故的父亲。
“他没有被锁在房间里。她没有以任何方式阻止他。她提供食物。她提供庇护。她被这些指控震惊了，”她的律师约安尼斯·卡洛迪斯告诉记者纽黑文ABC子公司WTNH在她被捕后。
Connecticut man allegedly held captive for over 20 years releases 1st public statement
The man who wasallegedly held in captivityin his Connecticut home for more than 20 years said he is "much better and stronger" than the day first responders carried him out of the residence in February.
The "severely emaciated" 5-foot-9 man weighed just 68 pounds when he was found in the home in Waterbury on Feb. 17 by authorities who had responded to a report of an active fire at the residence, according to officials. The man told first responders he intentionally set the fire in his room and alleged that his stepmother had held him captive since he was 11, officials said.
"I am a survivor of more than 20 years of captivity and domestic abuse. I was held prisoner in my home from the time I was taken out of the fourth grade at age 11 until two months ago at age 31 when I purposely set the fire that helped set me free," he said in his first public statement on the matter. "I am speaking out today to begin the process of reclaiming my life and to have my say in how my story is told."
The statement was released on Tuesday through his volunteer spokesperson, David Guarino of the organization Survivors Say.
The now-32-year-old man, whose name has not been released, referred to himself as "S" in the statement, saying, "This is not the name given to me by my parents when I was born. I am choosing a new name for myself, and I will use that name as I reclaim control over my life and my future. My name is my choice, and it is the first of many choices I will make for myself now that I am free."
"S" thanked first responders and law enforcement as well as the health care professionals "who have helped and nurtured me."
"In addition to all of your care, I appreciated the chance to have my first ever birthday party to celebrate turning 32," he said.
He also thanked the public for their prayers and donations to a GoFundMe fundraiser organized by Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, which has raised nearly $270,000. The funds will be used to pay for medical and dental care, counseling and therapy for physical and emotional recovery, housing and daily living expenses and support for legal fees, the nonprofit said.
"Much has already been said that tells part of the story of the abuse I endured. Someday, perhaps my whole story will be told," "S" said. "I ask everyone involved in my story to fully cooperate with the authorities who are helping me seek justice for these crimes. I also ask the public and the media to respect those investigations and my privacy as this process plays out. This isn't just a story. It's my life."
His stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, was arrested and faces multiple charges, including unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment, assault and kidnapping. She has pleaded not guilty.
Sullivan's lawyer defended his client and said it was the victim's late father who was responsible.
"He was not locked in the room. She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food. She provided shelter. She is blown away by these allegations," her lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, toldNew Haven ABC affiliate WTNHfollowing her arrest.
