Former elementary school classmate of man allegedly held captive for 20 years reflects on time together

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A former elementary school classmate reflected on their memories with the man who was allegedly held captive in a Connecticut home for decades.

Louis Collette said he hasn’t seen the victim since they were classmates at Barnard Elementary School in Waterbury 20 years ago.

Collette said he can still recall playing outside during recess with the victim and having lunch together in the cafeteria.

He also brought his Barnard Elementary yearbook from 2005.

Collette graduated from the elementary school that year. His classmate, the victim who was held captive, was notably missing from the photos.

Brenda Medina, another classmate of the victim, said she also recalled him before he disappeared.

“He did stick out and he did make a statement in an unfortunate way. I remember that kid crystal clear,” she said.

She said she even sat next to him in fourth grade.

“What I want to remember that really broke me last night was remembering of him when it came down to getting ready to go home. I remembered he was always hesitant,” she said.

According to the arrest warrant for the victim’s stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, the victim had been pulled out of school in fourth grade.

Collette said he and other former classmates were shocked to hear what was happening just down the road from their school.

“In my own backyard too, I can’t even. I cried when I first saw it. He’s my own age,” Collette said.

He recalled sitting with the victim at lunch and being in the same kindergarten class.

“I did witness him always kind of searching for food and staring down peoples food,” Medina said.

However, Collette was young and didn’t think about where the victim went when he didn’t come back to school one day.

“It didn’t even really click. I said, ‘Did he move?’ That was basically it,” Collette said.

Collette said he had been speaking with another classmate who also sat at their lunch table sharing their disbelief of the case.

“I just want him to have his peace,” Collette said.

Medina said it is sad that no one was able to help the victim when he needed it.

The victim is still receiving treatment at a medical facility and has a conservator in charge of his well being.

To support the victim through a GoFundMe, click here.