Who is Carter Pigza from Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and what is their importance? Joey_Pigza_Swallowed_the_Key English & Literature Carter Pigza | Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Carter Pigz is the father of Joey. Carter abandoned Joey and his family when Joey was only in kindergarten. He presumably went to live in Pittsburgh, where Joey's mother also went following her own abandonment of Joey. Based on information from others, Joey learns that his father also had an attention deficit problem as well as a fairly severe drinking problem. Joey wishes to meet his father, but his mother knows Carter would likely simply cause Joey pain.