A lost Child

A Lost Child is a raw, unflinching memoir of survival, told by a man the system failed-but never managed to break.
From being locked in a dark closet as a child, to years spent moving through foster homes, group institutions, and abusive authority figures, John recounts a childhood defined by neglect, violence, and betrayal. Labeled a "troublemaker," he was passed from place to place, punished instead of protected, and silenced when he finally tried to speak the truth.

Yet this is not just a story of trauma-it is a story of endurance.

Against overwhelming odds, Dedecker survives addiction, homelessness, institutional abuse, and repeated losses. Through sheer determination and the rare kindness of a few people who refused to give up on him, he rebuilds his life: becoming a soldier, a police officer, a father, and ultimately a man who fights for justice not only for himself, but for others like him.

Written with brutal honesty and hard-earned clarity, A Lost Child gives voice to those who grew up unseen-and offers hope to anyone still searching for a way forward.