In Surprise, Arizona, a mother named Allie was able to save her 7-month-old baby, Jaxson, during a hostage situation orchestrated by her ex-boyfriend, Todd Marchetti. The incident began when Marchetti broke into Allie’s home armed with a machete in the early hours of the morning. Marchetti intended to cause harm to Allie while her family was away on vacation. Throughout the ordeal, Allie came up with multiple plans to escape and seek help.
Allie’s first attempt to escape came when Marchetti shot the family dog. She convinced him to let her take the dog to a vet, where she planned to seek help. However, Marchetti did not allow her to go to the vet alone. When they arrived at the vet, Marchetti gave false information and the dog had to be euthanized. Allie’s next escape attempt took advantage of a window that Marchetti had damaged when he broke into her home. She convinced him that workers needed to fix the window, allowing her to reach out for help to a construction crew nearby.
During the standoff, police officers heard gunshots coming from inside the house as they worked to rescue the baby. After several rescue attempts, the baby was safely airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for treatment. Jaxson underwent three surgeries and is expected to recover. Despite attempts to contact Marchetti, he refused to come out of the house and ultimately set the home on fire, resulting in his death. Investigators are still gathering evidence to determine the details of the incident.
Authorities revealed that Marchetti had a history of domestic violence reports involving Allie and Jaxson in multiple jurisdictions. Allie’s family released a statement urging others to report domestic violence and prevent further tragedies. A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to support Allie and Jaxson during their recovery. An update on the fundraiser indicated that Jaxson has shown signs of improvement and has been able to be held by his mother for the first time since the incident. Allie remains by his side as he recovers.
The harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting domestic violence and seeking help when needed. The family encourages others to take action if they or someone they know is experiencing domestic violence. Allie’s quick thinking and bravery during the hostage situation ultimately saved her baby’s life. The community has rallied around the family to offer support and assistance as they navigate the aftermath of the traumatic event.
