Pelzer was the fourth of five sons of Stephen Pelzer and Catherine Roerva. He received his bachelor's degree in
child and adolescent development from
Southern New Hampshire University in 2015. He was divorced with four children. Pelzer published his memoir, ''A Brother's Journey
, an account of the story of his young adult life. Pelzer was also the author of A Teenager's Journey'', which recounts his teenage years. His brother,
Dave Pelzer, was severely abused by their mother when he was a child. ==Controversy==