A Connecticut woman accused of imprisoning her stepson for nearly two decades and subjecting him to starvation and relentless abuse is set to appear in court Friday to face charges including assault,

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.

I just know that she’s a monster,” Heather Tessman, who identified herself as the man’s sister, told reporters outside court.