In a shocking incident, an 11-year-old girl in Pennsylvania was stabbed while attempting to shield her mother from her father’s violent attack. The father, identified as Richard Cody Hall, reportedly violated a protection-from-abuse order and broke into the home of his estranged wife and their two children in Redstone Township on Sunday.
According to authorities, Hall stabbed both his estranged wife and their young daughter, who courageously intervened to protect her mother. “That 11-year-old child saved her mother’s life,” said Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele. Hall also reportedly attacked his wife’s parents before turning the knife on himself.
Eyewitnesses in the neighborhood reported hearing a vehicle speeding down the street, followed by the sound of a back door being kicked in and subsequent screams. The mother had recently moved back in with her parents, taking her 11-year-old and 8-year-old children with her, Aubele explained.
Hall reportedly tried to engage his estranged wife in conversation, but she refused to let him into the house. “He physically broke a window door to get into the house and began attacking her with a knife,” Aubele said.
Hall is now facing multiple charges, including four counts of attempted homicide and four counts of aggravated assault. Court records indicate that Hall is 33 years old, although there have been conflicting reports about his age in various media outlets. He was hospitalized as of Monday evening due to a self-inflicted stab wound and will be arraigned upon his release.
All four victims of the stabbing were taken to hospitals in stable condition. “We’re extremely grateful that this wasn’t worse,” Aubele said. He also revealed that this was not the first time the young girl had to protect her mother from Hall, praising her bravery. “We can’t say enough about the actions of this 11-year-old girl,” Aubele added.