Her Iife was at stake

On May 4, 2015, Cheryl Treadway and her children were held hostage at knifepoint by her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson, in Highlands County, Florida. In a desperate attempt to escape, Treadway used her phone’s Pizza Hut app to order a small hand-tossed pepperoni pizza, secretly adding a plea for help in the order. She revealed she was being held hostage, which prompted the restaurant staff to take immediate action.

This incident underscores the importance of recognizing subtle signs of abuse and providing support for individuals in dangerous situations. Organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline offer essential resources, including safety planning tools that help survivors navigate leaving abusive relationships. Treadway’s case highlights the critical role of attentive and responsive individuals, whether it’s 911 operators, law enforcement, or even the public, in identifying and addressing domestic abuse. Thanks to the quick response of the Pizza Hut staff, Treadway and her children were rescued, showing how a simple act of listening can make all the difference.