A Child Called It is an autobiography by Dave Pelzer recounting his story of survival of one of the worst child abuse cases ever reported in California history.
Initially, Dave lives a normal childhood. He enjoys life and family trips with his two older brothers and loving, affectionate parents. However, in early elementary school, his parents begin drinking excessively, and his mother begins to exhibit abusive behavior toward him, even when she’s sober. She begins administering severe, cruel and unusual punishments and playing devastating mind games. What began with prolonged times in the corner, quickly progressed to beatings and starvation.
She begins to use food as a weapon and starves him regularly. At one point, she prevents Dave from eating for 10 days. While at school, he repeatedly gets in trouble for stealing food or eating out of trash cans. His mother begins making him vomit at the end of each school day so she can see if he ate anything she didn’t approve. Dave’s mother forced him to go to school in clothes he had been wearing for months at a time. Between that and his stealing of food, he quickly became an outcast student. Dave’s classmates beat him and tortured him emotionally. They, and his mother, tell him they wish he were dead.
When his mother gave birth to two more sons, the punishments became harsher, as the other boys’ lives became more nurtured. Dave would often spend time lying in the cold bath while listening to his mother sharing fun times with the other boys, even telling scary stories on Halloween and opening presents on Christmas. Dave was excluded from all family events, especially Christmas. Dave was not even allowed to sleep in the house, relegated instead to the garage. Dave becomes the family servant. Soon Dave no longer has a name; they simply call him The Boy.
When officials would become suspicious, Dave’s mother would charm her way out of interviews or manipulate Dave into believing the worst was over, and that she would no longer torture him. His mother would coach him about what to say when teachers and administrators asked about the bruises on his body. A few times she injures him severely, one such beating that caused Dave a broken arm.
Dave’s father was his only protection. When his father was home, his mother’s punishments were never as severe. However, Dave’s father still failed to protect Dave on most occasions, even when he sees the physical and emotional anguish his son endures. The night his mother accidentally stabbed Dave while threatening his life, his father refused to interject, instead more afraid for his own safety.
At one point, Dave’s mother lovingly apologizes to him for all that’s happened and asks if they can begin again. He’s thrilled at the prospect of being welcomed back into the family. But after a few days of joy and acceptance, Dave’s family is visited by a child protective services agent. Dave realizes his mother had only been trying to placate him so he wouldn’t tell the truth about his abuse. Once the agent leaves, Dave’s life returns to its abusive state.
Because of the environment Dave’s abusive parents fostered, his brothers, both younger and older, begin to despise and terrorize him as well. His father continues to be too intimidated by his mother to defend and protect Dave. Eventually, his mother no longer needs to make Dave repeat aloud, “I hate myself! I hate myself!” because Dave already hates himself and feels nothing but anger for everyone around him. Through the years of torment, Dave develops strategies for staying alive and avoiding his mother’s wrath.
Soon, Dave’s father stops spending as much time at home, eventually moving out of the house, allowing Dave to remain entirely unprotected from his deranged mother. Dave now realized that his hopes of being rescued are a fantasy that will never come true. Dave no longer cared about avoiding his mother’s rage. Now, Dave sought out her rage, hoping that she would kill him and give him refuge from the pain.
One morning, Dave was washing the dishes, hoping he could get done quick enough to avoid his mother’s rage and to have the opportunity to eat some breakfast. Although he doesn’t finish in time to avoid his mother’s animosity, Dave was allowed the leftovers of his brother’s cereal. His mother drove Dave to school, although she normally forced him to run. This morning in fifth grade, Dave was called to the nurse’s office so she could inventory his injuries, a routine they have carried on for quite some time. However, this time was different, the nurse called in the principal. The teachers, administrators and school nurse finally realized they couldn’t let him suffer in silence any longer. The police are called, and Dave is removed from his mother’s custody. He finally feels free. Dave found himself being rescued.
Dave Pelzer lived in a world of starvation, cruelty, and torture from the age of four until his rescue by courageous school officials at the age of twelve. Dave grew up, became a father, and made peace with the horrible abuse he suffered as a child. He makes sure to tell his son several times how much he loves him.