A Connecticut woman accused of imprisoning her stepson in degrading conditions for over two decades has rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors, according to court proceedings on Wednesday. Kimberly Sullivan, 57, appeared in Waterbury Superior Court for a brief hearing regarding her case, which has drawn widespread attention.

Prosecutors initially proposed a sentence of 30 years in prison for Sullivan, with 20 years to be served before the remaining term was suspended. However, during the hearing, Judge Corinne Klatt suggested modifying the deal so that Sullivan would serve 10 years before the suspension of the remainder of the sentence. Despite this adjustment, Sullivan declined the offer.

Sullivan faces charges related to the alleged confinement of her stepson, now 33 years old, who prosecutors say was held in a small, unsanitary room in their Waterbury home starting when he was approximately 10 years old. He was reportedly only allowed to leave the space to perform chores. The victim’s biological mother, Tracy Vallerand, criticized the proposed plea arrangement, deeming it too lenient. She also took aim at Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, whom she derided during a court appearance.

Vallerand, who surrendered custody of her son at six months old to his father, Kraigg Sullivan, and Kimberly Sullivan, expressed frustration with the legal process and the defense team’s approach. Sullivan, through her lawyer, maintains her innocence.

The case has highlighted concerns about child abuse and prolonged confinement within domestic settings. The court is expected to move forward with further proceedings after Sullivan’s rejection of the plea offer.