The parents of a toddler who suffered a minor injury at a Pennsylvania theme park zoo have been charged with endangering the welfare of children. The incident occurred when the child squeezed through a fence near a wolf enclosure and made contact with one of the animals.
The Incident at ZooAmerica
The child, a one-and-a-half-year-old boy, crawled through a small opening in a wooden barrier at ZooAmerica, which is part of the Hersheypark theme park in Pennsylvania.
The child entered a restricted area near the wolf exhibit and placed his hand through a chain-link fence, where a wolf instinctively grabbed his hand with its mouth. Several bystanders quickly intervened and helped pull the child to safety.
Parent’s Actions and Charge
The parents were reportedly about 25 to 30 feet away from the child, sitting on benches and focusing on their cellphones when the incident occurred. Police said they only noticed what was happening shortly before noon on Saturday.
As a result, both parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, a misdemeanor.
The Zoo’s Statement
ZooAmerica officials described the wolf’s contact with the child’s hand as “a brief, investigatory behavior” rather than a forceful or aggressive action. Wolves naturally use their mouths to explore unfamiliar objects, much like humans use their hands.
The zoo confirmed that the child’s injuries were minor and surface-level, and assured that the wolf involved was up-to-date on vaccinations.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The Dauphin County District Attorney, Fran Chardo, explained that the decision to file criminal charges was made after careful consideration of factors such as the child’s age and the circumstances of the incident. The parents, who reside in Lititz, Pennsylvania, are awaiting a preliminary hearing later this month.
Derry Township Police Chief Garth W. Warner expressed concern about the parents’ lack of attention, stating that children of that age need constant supervision to avoid potential harm.
Past Incidents at Hersheypark
This incident follows another notable safety-related event at Hersheypark last summer, when a lost boy wandered onto a monorail line and was rescued by a park visitor who bravely jumped onto the rails. Fortunately, the child was unharmed and was reunited with his family.
