An 11-year-old girl in Pennsylvania is recovering after she was allegedly stabbed by her father while trying to protect her mother.
Richard Cody Hall is accused of carrying out a stabbing attack at his estranged wife’s Redstone Township, Pa., home on Sunday, Sept. 28, injuring multiple people, according to the Pennsylvania State Police and Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele, as reported by CBS News, WPXI, and the Observer-Reporter.
Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show Hall, 33, was arrested that same day on a series of charges, including several counts of attempted homicide. (Hall’s age is reported differently across outlets, but court documents list him as 33.)
Authorities say Hall allegedly forced entry into his in-laws’ home, where his estranged wife was staying with their children. “[She] recently moved back in with her parents, and she took their 11- and 8-year-old children with her,” Aubele said, per CBS News. “He showed up at the house.”
Hall reportedly had a domestic violence protection order against him, according to police statements cited by the outlets. After an apparent confrontation in which his estranged wife likely refused to let him inside, Hall allegedly broke down the door to gain entry.
Court documents cited by the Observer-Reporter allege that Hall then lunged at his wife, stabbing her in the chest, neck, and arms.
“As the defendant was on top of [the woman] on the floor, the (11-year-old girl) jumped onto her in an attempt to protect her from the defendant,” investigators said in a probable cause affidavit, the outlet reported.
“That 11-year-old child saved her mother’s life,” Aubele told CBS News.
Authorities further allege that Hall attacked the woman’s parents before stabbing himself, according to reports.
All four victims received immediate medical care and are expected to recover, police said.
Online court records show Hall faces more than two dozen charges, including attempted homicide, child endangerment, aggravated assault, and harassment.
Court records did not indicate plea or attorney information for Hall.
