On May 4, 2015, Cheryl Treadway of Highlands County, Florida, and her children were held at knifepoint by her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson. In a desperate attempt to get help, she used the Pizza Hut app to order a pepperoni pizza and included a critical note in the order, stating she was being held hostage.

Organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline offer essential resources, including safety planning tools that guide survivors on leaving abusive situations. Leaving safely often requires careful preparation and support, not just a single decision.

The Pizza Hut staff recognized her plea and immediately contacted authorities, ultimately saving their lives. Treadway’s experience underscores how subtle cries for help can be—and why it’s vital for everyone, from emergency responders to the public, to stay alert to signs of distress.

Fortunately, in this case, someone was paying attention, and it made all the difference.