Parents face child endangerment charges after their distracted cellphone use allowed a 17-month-old to crawl under a zoo fence and get bitten by a wolf, exposing the dangers of neglecting family responsibilities in public spaces.
Story Snapshot
- Derry Township Police charged Carrie B. Sortor, 43, and Stephen J.B. Wilson, 61, with endangering the welfare of their child.
- A toddler crawled under the outer fence at ZooAmerica, reached into the wolf enclosure, and suffered a minor hand injury from natural wolf behavior.
- Parents sat 25-30 feet away, absorbed in their phones, failing to perform basic supervision duties near dangerous animals.
- Bystanders heroically intervened to rescue the child; multi-layered zoo barriers prevented a worse outcome.
Incident Details Unfold
A 17-month-old toddler from Lititz, Pennsylvania, crawled under a small opening in the outer wooden perimeter fence at ZooAmerica in Hersheypark.
The child then reached through the primary metal enclosure into the wolf habitat. A wolf grabbed the toddler’s hand with its mouth in an instinctive reaction.
Bystanders quickly pulled the child to safety. The parents remained unaware, 25-30 feet away, focused on their cellphones.
A scary situation unfolded at a zoo in Hersheypark this weekend when police say a 17-month-old child was left unsupervised by parents apparently distracted by their cellphones. https://t.co/WwW9GT0AAN
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) April 6, 2026
Police Hold Parents Accountable
Derry Township Police filed one count each of endangering the welfare of children against Carrie B. Sortor, 43, and Stephen J.B. Wilson, 61.
Investigators noted that the parents sat on a bench, appeared distracted by their phones, and only noticed the commotion afterward.
Sgt. Dennis Eckenrode emphasized the need for vigilance near exhibits. Police seek witness videos and contact via 717-534-2202 or [email protected]. Charges reflect clear negligence in supervising a toddler around wildlife.
ZooAmerica confirmed the child never fully entered the enclosure. The wolf pack includes male Twister and females Hazel and Freya; the specific animal remains unidentified. No prior incidents occurred at this habitat, underscoring parental responsibility over facility design.
Zoo Defends Safety Measures
ZooAmerica issued a statement praising its multi-layered protections: an outer wooden fence and an inner metal enclosure with clear signage demanding child supervision.
Officials expressed relief at the minor injuries and at the expected full recovery. The wolf acted consistently with natural behavior, not aggression.
These barriers worked as intended, preventing a full breach despite the gap exploited by the unsupervised toddler. Zoo protocols now face routine review.
This event highlights how personal distractions undermine family safety. In an era of constant connectivity, parents must prioritize watchful eyes over screens, especially in high-risk environments like zoos featuring North American wildlife such as wolves.
Broader Lessons for Families
The incident sparks debate on public parenting amid rising cellphone addiction. The prosecution views stress as a 25-30 foot distance plus phone use as negligence in risky settings.
Zoo experts affirm barriers succeeded, shifting focus to individual accountability. In the short term, parents face legal proceedings with potential fines or jail.
Long-term, attractions may strengthen signage, reinforcing timeless conservative values of parental duty and self-reliance over excuses.
Sources:
Toddler injured by wolf at Hersheypark zoo after crawling under fence, parents charged
Parents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Hersheypark’s ZooAmerica
Parents charged after child injured by wolf at Hersheypark zoo
