Author, child abuse survivor Pelzer Illinois State Report Author, child abuse survivor Pelzer to speak Nov. 11 for Consider the Children Author and lecturer David Pelzer will discuss his experiences as a child rescued from an abusive home by child welfare workers at a Consider the Children lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Ballroom of Bone Student Center.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Pelzer's appearance is part of ISU's year-long Consider the Children series. His message is one of encouragement and tribute to teachers, social service workers and others who give of themselves in the foster care system. Pelzer suffered physical torture, mental abuse and near starvation by his alcoholic mother before being made a ward of the state of California. Upon his rescue he was identified as one of the most severely abused children in the state's history. He lived in foster care until he joined the Air Force at age 18.