Woman uses Pizza Hut app to escape hostage-taking boyfriend

A US woman being held hostage by her boyfriend has escaped unharmed after she used a fast food ordering app to raise the alarm.

Cheryl Treadway, 25, from Avon Park, Florida, became embroiled in an argument with Ethan Nickerson, 26, at their home on Monday afternoon, WPTV reports.

Nickerson allegedly began sharpening a knife in front of her and her three young sons, and refused to let her leave or use her phone.

Ms Treadway eventually convinced Nickerson to hand over her phone to allow her to order a pizza through the Pizza Hut app.

"Please help, get 911 to me" she wrote in the comments section of her order, and added "911 hostage help" to another part.

Nickerson immediately took her phone off her again, but the comments were noticed by the Pizza Hut staff, who immediately alerted police.

"Upon arrival at the home, deputies were greeted by (Treadway) carrying a small child in her arms," Avon Park police said in a statement.

Police escorted her and the child away from the house, while another officer, Lieutenant Chris Ludden, negotiated with Nickerson to surrender.

"After about 20 minutes, Lieutenant Ludden was able to talk him into coming out peacefully. The other two children were then removed from the home, unharmed," police said.

Nickerson, who police suspect was high on methamphetamines at the time, has been charged with aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill, battery and false imprisonment.

Lieutetant Ludden praised Ms Treadway's quick and creative thinking.

"I don't know if I ever would have thought of it. I mean, it's just something that she did so naturally," Lieutenant Ludden said.

"The boyfriend never knew about it until he saw us coming around the corner."

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