Mom’s quick thinking leads to rescue of ex’s injured baby

A mother was able to save her seven-month-old baby during an hours-long hostage situation allegedly orchestrated by her ex by tricking him into seeking help nearby, police in Surprise, Arizona said at a news conference Monday.

The suspect, Todd Marchetti, 51, was found dead on May 17 following a reported domestic violence incident in which authorities said he broke into his ex’s home around 3 a.m. armed with a machete. Rick Hernandez said at the press conference.

According to Hernandez, the incident ended after the house caught fire and the estranged couple’s baby, Jaxson, who had been shot multiple times, was rescued.

Hernandez said Marchetti intended to “harm” the mother, identified by police as Allie, while her family was on vacation. During the hostage situation, Allie came up with several plans to try to get away for help.

Allie’s first chance to escape came when Marchetti shot the family dog, Hernandez said. She convinced Marchetti to let her take the dog to a veterinarian, where she planned to seek help.

However, Marchetti did not allow her to go to the vet alone, according to Hernandez. While at the vet, Marchetti gave the staff false names and numbers and told them the dog was a stray that had been hit by a car.

The dog had to be euthanized, Hernandez said.

Allie’s next escape attempt used a window that Marchetti damaged when he broke into her home, Hernandez said. She told Marchetti to go outside and ask workers to fix the window so no one would know he had broken in.

The mother left through the damaged window and found a construction crew around 11:30 am. The workers called police, Hernandez said.

According to a police press release, the baby was still in the home with Marchetti when crews called for help. When officers arrived, an hours-long standoff began.

During the standoff, police officers heard multiple gunshots coming from the home as authorities devised a plan go inside to save the baby, the news release said.

Police body camera footage shown at the news conference shows officers grabbing the child and rushing to get back out. They gave the baby to medical personnel, who began an investigation, Surprise Fire Chief Brenden Espie said at the news conference.

According to Hernandez, authorities learned that Jaxson was shot multiple times at some point during the hostage situation. After the rescue, the baby was taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Hernandez said officers tried to make contact with Marchetti several times after he rescued Jaxson, but he refused to come out.

“During the time he refused to leave the home peacefully, we heard gunshots, including when the house was on fire. We still heard gunfire,” Hernandez said.

The fire started shortly after 3 p.m., while Marchetti was inside. Firefighters were unable to extinguish the flames because gunshots continued to ring from the home, the news release said.

Marchetti’s remains were found in a closet-like room. It looked like he had shot himself in the head. Authorities say investigators are still gathering evidence to determine whether Marchetti set the house on fire.

Jaxson underwent three surgeries and is expected to recover, Hernandez said.

The sergeant told reporters that Marchetti had multiple prior reports of domestic violence in multiple jurisdictions involving Allie and Jaxson.

In a statement released to KPNX-TV in Mesa, ArizonaAccording to the victims’ family, Allie is still troubled by the incident.

“If your son or daughter is experiencing domestic violence, or is the perpetrator, do the right thing and report it as soon as it happens. Lives depend on it,” the statement said.

In an update on Tuesday about a GoFundMe fundraiser launched for the familyloved ones stated that Allie was “glued to Jaxson’s side” during his hospital stay.

“As for Jaxson’s recovery, he has since opened his eyes, had breathing assistance removed and was able to be held in his mother’s arms for the first time yesterday,” an update on the fundraiser said.

Need help? In the US, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.