It was thanks to the action taken by teachers, as well as the police, that David Pelzer was taken away from his mother and survived the horrific and ever-escalating abuse that he suffered at her hands.

After a childhood filled with such horrendous abuse that can barely be described, everything changed for David on March 5, 1973. After being called into the nurse's office again based on his teachers' suspicions that all is not well at home, the police arrive and take him to the station. Heartbreakingly, David is not afraid of going to jail, because there, his mother will not be able to harm him.

At this point, it becomes apparent that David's teachers and the authorities have realized the extent of the abuse that he has been facing at home, and the police step in and take action. Despite being crippled by fear and physically and emotionally fragile, David was then free from the tyranny of life with his mother.

It is important to understand that David does not only survive. He goes on to thrive, and the book ends with an adult David, together with his son, Stephen. David reflects on his life and counts his blessings, and it is apparent that he has not allowed the horror of his childhood to define his adult life.