Parents Face Child Endangerment Charges After Zoo Wolf Incident
In a distressing incident at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a 17-month-old toddler sustained injuries after placing a hand through a wolf enclosure fence. The child's parents, Carrie Sortor, 43, and Stephen Wilson, 61, have now been charged with one count of endangering the welfare of children by the Derry Township Police Department.
Details of the Zoo Incident
According to police statements, the incident occurred last Saturday when the unsupervised toddler managed to squeeze through a small opening in a wooden barrier perimeter fence. This allowed the child to enter a restricted area near the wolf exhibit and reach the primary metal fence enclosure.
"The child was injured after they placed their hand through the metal fencing," the Derry Township Police Department confirmed. "From the injuries sustained, it appears as though one of the wolves in the enclosure instinctively and naturally grabbed onto the child's hand with its mouth."
Parental Supervision Under Scrutiny
Police investigation revealed that Sortor and Wilson were sitting on a bench approximately 30 feet away from their child during the incident. Authorities stated that both parents appeared to be looking at their cell phones and only looked up when they heard commotion from the enclosure area.
DTPD Chief Garth Warner emphasized to local media that there are multiple signs throughout the zoo area advising parents to closely watch their children. "Obviously, they did not follow those instructions," Warner stated bluntly regarding the parents' behavior.
Zoo Response and Animal Behavior
A spokesperson for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, which operates ZooAmerica, confirmed to reporters that the child's injuries were minor and clarified that the toddler never actually entered the wolf enclosure itself.
"A wolf approached and made contact with the child's hand," the spokesperson explained. "This type of response is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression."
The zoo representative further emphasized that animal welfare and visitor safety remain their "highest priorities" at the 11-acre facility, which houses more than 200 animals native to North America.
Wolf Enclosure Residents
ZooAmerica's website identifies three gray wolves residing in the enclosure where the incident occurred. The male wolf, named Twister, was born in 2015, while the two female wolves, Hazel and Freya, were both born in April 2019. The zoo describes these animals as part of their educational North American wildlife collection.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have appealed to the public for any witnesses or individuals who may have filmed the incident to come forward as their investigation continues. The charges against Sortor and Wilson represent a serious legal consequence for what authorities characterize as a failure of parental supervision in a potentially dangerous environment.
The incident has sparked discussions about parental responsibility in public spaces with wildlife exhibits, particularly regarding the balance between educational opportunities and necessary safety precautions when young children are present.
