Residents of a Connecticut town where a woman is accused of holding her stepson captive for more than two decades have spoken out about the details of the horrifying case—while voicing their guilt at failing to realize that something so dark might have been unfolding just feet from their own front doors.

The biological mother of a Connecticut man allegedly held captive for decades by his stepmother has revealed new details about why she gave up custody — and vowed to be there for him now.