A woman allegedly held her “severely emaciated” stepson in captivity for over 20 years, since he was 11 years old, and forced him to endure “prolonged abuse."

The stepson of a Connecticut woman told detectives he had been held captive for two decades, beginning at the age of 11. Although his former principal and elementary school reportedly told authorities about the now-grown man's alleged mistreatment,

Police in Connecticut say a house fire revealed a man being held against his will by his stepmother for decades. Police in Waterbury say on February 17, the victim, who is a 32-year-old man, set fire to the room he was allegedly being held in.