(NewsNation) — The biological mother of the 32-year-old Connecticut man allegedly held captive by his stepmom for two decades hopes her son gets better and stronger, Tracy Vallerand told NewsNation’s “Banfield” Thursday night.
Vallerand said she gave custody of her son when he was a baby to his father who married Kimberly Sullivan.
Sullivan, the victim’s stepmother, pleaded not guilty last month to multiple charges, including assault and kidnapping.
“Devastated. Absolutely devastated,” was Vallerand’s initial reaction when she heard the news of what happened to her son, who was allegedly held captive since he was 11.
“Happy that he was found, happy that he was alive, but completely devastated in the condition that he was found,” she said.
NewsNation affiliate WTNH obtained the arrest warrant for Sullivan, which described his physical state.
“His skin color appears to be graying. His total physical condition resembles one who would be at a point at the end of their life,” according to the warrant. Previously released court documents described the man as standing 5’9″ and weighing under 70 pounds.
The victim’s father died last year, according to reports, but he may have been around for some of the alleged abuse that spanned 21 years.
“I can’t understand that either,” Vallerand said. “I can’t imagine what my son had to deal with for so long. And it should have never, ever happened.”
Vallerand also said she gave custody of her daughter to foster care. Her daughter, Heather Tassman, grew up just 15 minutes from the man, who is listed in court documents as “Male Victim One.”
“I love you. You get better, you get stronger, you get healthier,” Vallerand said as a message to her son on “Banfield.” “We’re all here for you.”
WTNH’s Jenn Brink contributed to this story.