Surprisingly, a woman in Florida used a smart plan to get away from a hostage situation, with the help of a nearby Pizza Hut. When Cheryl Treadway’s life was in danger, she used a pizza order to send a secret message for help.
Treadway ordered a small hand-tossed pizza with pepperoni on May 4, 2015, through the Pizza Hut app on her phone. What looked like a normal order, though, was really a desperate plea for help. Nickerson had held Treadway, her kids, and her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson, hostage with a knife. They were all at home.
Treadway’s smart move was to ask for help in a note that she put on her pizza order. It said, “Please help.” Call 911 for me.” When the order came in, the local Pizza Hut called the police right away. The police then went to Treadway’s house and arrested Nickerson.
This horrifying story shows how terrible domestic abuse really is. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says that one in three women and one in four men have been physically abused by a current or past intimate partner.
Many people don’t get to live, but Treadway’s bravery and quick thought saved hers. A scary PSA against domestic violence that aired during the Super Bowl showed a woman secretly calling for help while getting pizza. This happened in real life, and it’s a stark warning of how important it is to know the signs of domestic violence.
People who are stuck in abusive relationships can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help and tools. You can use their safety planning tool to get legal information, help making a plan to leave, and safety tips.
The story of Treadway shows how powerful imagination and sticking with something even when it’s dangerous can be. It also shows how important it is to be alert and know the signs of domestic abuse. People can get help and maybe even save lives if we listen and read between the lines.
