I-Team: DCF Checked Waterbury Home 6 Times in 9 Years While Pediatrician Missed Signs

Overview of the Kimberly Sullivan Case and DCF's Response

Late Tuesday afternoon, state lawmakers met with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to discuss the case of Kimberly Sullivan, a woman accused of keeping her stepson captive for two decades. The meeting was held in private, with DCF requesting the session to address their months-long review of records related to the Sullivan case and past practices.

The DCF recently released some of this information to the I-Team, providing details that were previously unknown to the public and media. This review included a detailed examination of all records, reconstruction of policies and procedures from two decades ago, and interviews with current staff who worked on the case.

Key Findings from DCF’s Review

According to the DCF, over the course of nine years (1996-2005), the department received six reports about the Sullivan home. Each report was investigated, and the DCF conducted both announced and unannounced visits, including after-hours home visits, to engage with all family members. During these investigations, home conditions and food availability were observed and documented.

When allowed, the children were interviewed alone and apart from their parents. However, the interviews did not reveal any signs of abuse or neglect. At the time, Connecticut law only permitted DCF to interview a child without parental consent in cases involving allegations of abuse—not neglect, which was the nature of the report against the Sullivan family. This law was amended in 2018 to include neglect cases.

The DCF investigator also contacted the child’s pediatrician, who noted no concerns. Ongoing communication with the pediatrician and school nurse helped assess whether there was an underlying medical explanation for the child’s small stature and food-seeking behavior.

Based on the information available and the statutory requirements at the time, the DCF did not have sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations or remove the child from the home.

Legislative Perspectives on the Case

Representative Corey Paris, co-chair of the Children’s Committee, explained that the meeting was kept private to protect the integrity of an ongoing criminal investigation. He emphasized that DCF cannot release all details due to family privacy laws and laws involving minors.

State Senator Jason Perillo, who attended the briefing, stated that while DCF did everything right at the time, there are limitations when a young person is removed from the system or parents refuse further involvement. He highlighted the need for continued legislative and agency efforts to prevent similar cases in the future.

Senator Ceci Maher, chair of the Committee on Children, emphasized the importance of understanding how the case evolved to better protect children now and in the future. She expressed hope for more updates as the legal case progresses and pledged to work with colleagues and advocates to update statutes for DCF and educational oversight.

Evolution of DCF Policies and Practices

In their statement, DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly acknowledged the trauma endured by the young man involved and praised the open relationship with legislative partners. She noted that the field of child welfare has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with enhanced statutes, best practices, and improved supports for children and families.

Key changes include the implementation of formal assessment tools for risk and safety, revised intake policies, and requirements for initial and closing visits. DCF has also improved supervision, staffing, and service arrays, along with allowing interviews of children without parental permission for concerns of neglect and abuse.

Response from Sullivan’s Attorney

Kimberly Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, criticized the DCF’s statement as bureaucratic self-preservation that undermines due process and the right to a fair trial. He argued that the DCF’s narrative assumes the accuser as a victim and attempts to shield itself from scrutiny.

Kaloidis emphasized that the DCF’s internal review found no evidence of abuse or neglect, with ample food in the home and no concerns raised by the pediatrician. He called the case a political circus and stressed that the judicial system, not DCF or politicians, should determine the truth.

He concluded that the accusations against Sullivan are baseless and unproven, and that she looks forward to her day in court where she can confront her accuser before a jury of her peers.