Authorities have charged two parents after a toddler was hurt in an incident involving a wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica.
Derry Township police said the incident occurred Saturday when a youngster climbed through a small breach in a perimeter fence, reached a secondary metal fence around the enclosure, and put their hand through.
According to investigators, one of the wolves inside the enclosure “instinctively and naturally grabbed onto the child’s hand with its mouth.” Bystanders stepped in and helped pull the child away.
Authorities stated the child was injured but not completely inside the fence.
Police identified the parents as Lititz residents Carrie Sortor, 43, and Stephen Wilson, 61. Officials stated they were sitting around 25 to 30 feet away from the 17-month-old and looked to be staring at their phones when the event occurred.
After conducting an investigation, the Derry Township Police Department and the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office charged both parents with one count of endangering the welfare of children.
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts officials said in a statement that the child’s injuries were minor and that the wolf’s action was typical of natural animal instincts.
Police are requesting anyone who observed the event or has footage to contact them as the investigation proceeds.