A six-month-old baby boy was rescued after being shot by his father who broke into his mother’s home in Arizona.
Around 3 a.m. Friday, Todd Marchetti broke into the home of Allie Battiston’s parents in Surprise armed with a machete.
Allie stayed with her mother and father after she and Todd, her ex-husband, separated. Her parents were on vacation at the time.
Authorities say Todd knew Allie’s family was out of town when he decided to break into the house and take his ex-wife and child hostage for more than eight hours.
“You close your eyes and all you can think is, ‘God, I hope nothing happens to Jaxson or Allie,’” said Michael Norman, Allie’s father 12News.
A baby boy named Jaxson is rescued by police officers in Surprise, Arizona, after his father broke into his grandparents’ home, held him and his mother hostage, and shot them.
Allie stayed with her mother and father after she and Todd, her ex-husband, split. Her parents were on vacation at the time. (photo: Jaxson and Allie)
After attempting to escape several times, Allie came into contact with a nearby construction worker when she escaped through the window with minor injuries.
Before police entered the house, Todd got into an hours-long standoff with them, at one point shooting his son in the “lower extremities.”
Harrowing bodycam footage showed the moment police rushed into the house and rescued the baby still inside.
Multiple officers are seen surrounding the front of the house as gunshots rang out from inside.
Once inside, officers quickly search for the baby as one officer grabs Jaxson and runs out of the house while others search the area.
Officers then entered a room in the house as bright lights flashed from the bedroom. It is unclear whether they confronted the father before rescuing the child.
After they were rescued, the baby’s father set the house on fire and was later found dead by police who believed he had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Once they were rescued, Todd Marchetti set the house on fire and was later found dead by police who believed he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
While the violent incident was unfolding, Norman and his wife were on vacation when she saw a clip on TV from a news channel showing their house on fire.
During those grueling 12 hours in the house, Todd shot a dog in the house, which was later euthanized.
After he shot the pet, Allie tried to convince her ex-husband to take the injured dog to the vet, but Todd would only go if she and the baby went with him.
During the visit, Todd used a false name and address and told the vet that the dog was a stray that had been hit by a car.
When the three of them got home, Allie tried to escape again by asking Todd to let her find workers to help them fix the window he broke into.
After he agreed, she climbed out the window and found a construction worker calling the police around 11:30 am.
After police rescued Jaxson, the baby was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
On Monday, police said Jaxson is expected to recover and has undergone three surgeries since the traumatic incident.
The baby’s concerned grandfather said: ‘He’s awake. He’ll open his eyes and rub his head and, you know, tell him we love him.”
Norman said his daughter received hundreds of messages a day from Todd saying Allie was a victim of domestic violence
Before police entered the house, Todd got into an hours-long standoff with police, at one point shooting his son in the “lower extremities.”
‘He’s alive. He is doing well. We love him. We need him in our lives, and for that we are grateful.”
While the violent incident was unfolding, Norman and his wife were on vacation when she saw a news channel on TV showing their house on fire.
‘To see your house burn to the ground on TV. I don’t even know how to explain that to people,” Norman said.
Firefighters were unable to battle the flames as several gunshots rang out, burning the house to the ground.
The surprise chief of the fire department’s medical department, Brenden Espie, said if the heroic mother had not tried to leave the house, she and her son might not have made it.
“Unlike our police and fire department members, who trained for these types of situations every day, Allie had to make a decision that will forever impact her life and Jackson’s life,” Espie said.
“I would like her to know that she should be very proud of the decision she made. And I don’t know if any of us know what we would do if faced with this kind of situation.”
Norman said his daughter received hundreds of messages a day from Todd saying Allie was a victim of domestic violence.
‘I’m sure I don’t need to explain the seriousness of domestic violence. 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 family said in a statement.
On Monday, police said Jaxson is expected to recover and has undergone three surgeries since the traumatic incident. (photo: Allie holding Jaxson in the hospital)
Firefighters were unable to battle the flames as multiple gunshots rang out, burning the house to the ground
a GoFundMe A page has been created to raise money to support Allie and Jaxson’s road to recovery.
By Tuesday afternoon, more than $138.00 had been raised and an update was given on the progress of mother and son.
“Allie has been glued to Jaxson’s side during this crucial time to meet his every need,” the post said.
“As for Jaxson’s recovery, he has since opened his eyes, had breathing aid removed and was able to be held in his mother’s arms for the first time yesterday.”
Along with the positive update, a photo was shared of Allie holding Jaxson in her arms as they smiled at each other.
Community members have also gathered to collect essential items for the family who lost their home in the dramatic incident, including nappies, clothes, food and formula.