The Pennsylvania State Police investigate after a man allegedly injured his estranged wife, daughter and in-laws in Redstone Township (WTAE).
Authorities in Pennsylvania are hailing the actions of an 11-year-old girl who jumped on top of her mother to protect her from her father when he allegedly hunted the family down after they moved in an effort to get away from him.
Cops in Redstone Township, which is some 45 miles south of Pittsburgh, responded to a home around 12:30 p.m. Sunday after a suspect later identified as 33-year-old Richard Cody Hall broke into the home through a rear glass door, Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele told Law&Crime.
The home belonged to Hall”s estranged wife’s parents. She and her two kids, ages 8 and 11, had recently moved with her parents to get away from Hall, according to Aubele. She had recently filed for divorce and obtained a protective order against him, Aubele said.
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After allegedly breaking through the window, Hall entered the master bedroom and started punching and stabbing his wife, officials say. That’s when their 11-year-old daughter came to the rescue, according to prosecutors. Aubele said the girl “threw herself” on top of her mother during the attack — suffering a “very substantial” stab wound to her arm as a result.
“That’s the reason her mother is still alive,” said Aubele.
Hall’s in-laws also stepped into stop the attack. He allegedly stabbed his mother-in-law and repeatedly kicked his father-in-law in the head while expressing his desire to kill him, Aubele said. The 8-year-old boy ran to a neighbor’s house for help. They called 911 and cops arrived on the scene, arresting Hall after spotting him.
Hall had apparently stabbed himself after the ordeal, per cops.
He faces a slew of charges, including criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.
All four victims were transported to local hospitals in stable condition.
Hall currently is in the hospital receiving treatment and will be transported to the Fayette County Jail after his release.
“We’re extremely grateful that this wasn’t worse,” Aubele said. “We can’t say enough about the actions of this 11-year old girl.”
Prosecutors say it is “not the first time” the girl had to protect her mother during an attack by her father.
