A Lost Child is the harrowing and ultimately redemptive memoir of John Dedecker, who from the earliest age knew that something was deeply wrong. Locked in closets by his mother, separated from his brothers, and cycled through a revolving door of foster placements, group homes, and institutions, John endured neglect, abuse, and betrayal at the hands of those who should have kept him safe. From the Evanchos to Sunny Ridge, from Maryville to Streamwood, each chapter maps a childhood measured not in milestones but in survival. Yet John did survive — finding purpose through law enforcement, fighting for justice for others who suffered as he did, and ultimately confronting the past on his own terms. Part testimony, part warning, and part guide for fellow survivors, A Lost Child is a reminder that what was done to a child does not define who they become — and that healing, however long it takes, is possible.