An Arizona mother who survived being stabbed 22 times by her boyfriend is speaking out about the terrifying attack that nearly killed her, revealing how her two young children risked their own safety to save her life.
Erin Hume was attacked inside her Mesa home in August 2025 by her then-boyfriend, Tyler Riddle, who has now been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and two counts of child abuse.
The disturbing details emerged as Hume addressed the court, describing the violence she endured and the extraordinary courage her children displayed.
“The defendant showed absolutely no mercy to me that night,” Hume told the judge during Riddle’s August 31 sentencing hearing.
She went on to deliver a powerful message about her survival.
“He may have thought that stabbing me 22 times would be the end of my story,” she said, explaining that she was determined to speak for herself and her children rather than let the attack define her life.
According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the violence unfolded after Riddle arrived at Hume’s home, where her children were sleeping.
In an interview with Phoenix television station 12News, Hume recalled that Riddle had taken an Uber to the residence. She said she warned him to remain quiet because the children were going to bed.
Hume also claimed Riddle had been using drugs, including psychedelics, that evening. Authorities have not established whether drugs contributed to the attack.
At some point, the situation turned violent.
The children awoke to their mother’s screams and discovered Riddle attacking her. Both attempted to intervene but were struck in the face.
Despite the danger, Hume’s 12-year-old son managed to call 911.
The frightened boy told the dispatcher that his mother was bleeding and that her boyfriend was still inside the home.
When Mesa police officers arrived, they found Hume seriously injured. She had suffered 22 stab wounds, including a wound to her neck.
Emergency responders rushed to help her, and she survived the attack.
Hume later credited her son’s quick thinking with saving her life.
“I would be dead if he didn’t call the police, like 100%,” she told 12News.
Prosecutors said Hume’s relationship with Riddle had become increasingly unhealthy and abusive before the attack.
Following his arrest, Riddle was charged in connection with the assault on Hume and the injuries suffered by her children.
He ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault classified as a dangerous domestic violence felony and two counts of child abuse.
At his sentencing, Hume described the emotional and physical consequences of the attack while making clear that she refused to let Riddle control her future.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell praised the children for their bravery and credited the rapid police response with preventing an even greater tragedy.
“Thanks to the bravery of her kids and the quick response by the Mesa police officers who arrived at the scene, this victim survived her attack,” Mitchell said.
Mesa Police Chief Dan Butler also emphasized the dangers of escalating domestic violence, noting that abusive relationships can develop from emotional manipulation into serious physical attacks.
