Author David Pelzer was born December 29, 1960, in San Francisco, California. He was second of five other boys to Stephen and Catherine Pelzer. David was abused as a young child until one of his fifth grade teachers finally saw the signs and took action in 1973. After being removed he lived in foster homes until 18, when he left to join the U.S. Air Force. He joined to help serve in the Gulf War, and after it ended he married his first wife Patsy. Pelzer was asked to carry a torch in the 1996 Olympics, a huge honor. After a few years David and his wife divorced. He later married his second wife Marsha, who was one of his book editors. He has written multiple books and lives a successful life traveling raising awareness about abuse.