The conservatrix for the Waterbury man who was held captive by his stepmother for 20 years has filed a claim to take the initial step in possibly suing the Department of Children and Families.

A spokesman for DCF says “We have not yet been notified of the claim and, when it is received, we will assess it to determine the most appropriate course of action.”

The man is publicly known as "S." On Feb. 17, 2025, firefighters rescued S" after he started a fire in his home in order to escape from Kimberly Sullivan.

Sullivan and her attorney deny she held her stepson captive. Kristan Exner filed a "personal injury-standard of care" claim with the Office of the Claims Commissioner on Feb 6. The claims names DCF as the state agency involved. State law dictates that a person who would like to sue the state for monetary damage must first obtain permission from the Claims Commission. The status of the claim remains open and it's not known when the commissioner will make a decision. It's also not clear if Exner and or S will actually sue the agency. News 12 has reached out to the commissioner for more information along with DCF but have not heard back from either.