“I Survived Hell”: Connecticut Man Who Escaped ‘House of Horrors’ Breaks Silence After Decades of Stepmother’s Alleged Abuse
New Haven, CT – April 10, 2025 — After more than three decades of silence, a Connecticut man is speaking publicly for the first time about the unimaginable abuse he says he endured at the hands of his stepmother inside what he now calls a “house of horrors.” His emotional testimony comes just weeks after new investigations into his childhood home were reopened following fresh evidence uncovered by local authorities.
James Keller, now 43, sat down with reporters in an exclusive interview, his voice shaking but resolute, detailing the years of torment he claims he suffered while living with his father and stepmother in a quiet suburban neighborhood just outside of New Haven.
“I Was a Prisoner in My Own Home”
“I wasn’t raised — I was imprisoned,” Keller said. “Every day was survival. I would go to bed wondering if I’d wake up the next day, not because of illness, but because of her rage.”
Keller alleges that from the time he was seven until he ran away at age sixteen, his stepmother subjected him to both physical and psychological abuse. According to him, he was denied food, locked in the basement for days at a time, and forced to sleep on cold concrete with no blanket during the winter months. He also described routine beatings with belts, broomsticks, and other household items.
“She made me call her ‘Ma’am,’ but not out of respect — out of fear. I wasn’t allowed to talk during meals. I couldn’t go outside. My school called home about bruises once, but nothing came of it.”
A Break in the Case
Keller’s story, long buried under trauma and shame, resurfaced recently when a neighbor — now a retired police officer — contacted authorities after hearing him speak at a local support group meeting. That tip has led to the reopening of a closed case file from the 1990s, initially dismissed due to what police at the time called “insufficient evidence.”
Earlier this month, Connecticut state investigators confirmed they had reopened the case and are now pursuing leads that may result in criminal charges. Authorities say Keller’s stepmother, now in her 70s and living in another part of the state, has been questioned but has not yet been charged.
Why He Stayed Silent
When asked why he never came forward publicly before, Keller said, “Because I was afraid no one would believe me. And because I didn’t want to relive it. But now, I realize staying quiet helped her. Not me.”
After escaping his home at sixteen, Keller says he lived on the streets of Hartford for several months before being taken in by a local pastor. He later worked multiple jobs, earned a GED, and eventually became a social worker — a career he says was inspired by his desire to help other abused children find hope.
“I see kids today who remind me of myself,” he said, tearing up. “I tell them, ‘You are not what they say you are. You are not what they’ve done to you.’”
A Call for Justice
Keller’s attorneys have confirmed they are considering a civil suit against his stepmother, while also pressing for criminal charges. “This is about accountability and justice, even if it comes decades late,” said attorney Michelle Landon.
The case has also reignited debates in Connecticut over how child abuse cases are handled and how the system can better protect vulnerable children. State lawmakers have begun discussing possible legislation that would extend or eliminate the statute of limitations in abuse cases where compelling new evidence emerges.
Healing Through Truth
For Keller, telling his story is part of the healing process. “There are scars you can’t see. But they’re there,” he said. “Still, I made it out. And I’m going to keep speaking, for the kids who can’t. For the ones still trapped in their own house of horrors.”
As the investigation continues, Keller hopes his story will help shine a light on the dark corners of abuse that often go unnoticed. “If just one person hears this and finds the strength to ask for help,” he says, “then this pain wasn’t for nothing.”
