Parents Charged After Toddler Injured by Wolf at Hersheypark

Couple accused of endangering child's welfare after incident at ZooAmerica exhibit

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wolf's sharp teeth and mouth, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A close-up of a wolf's powerful jaws, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by wild animals in public spaces.Hershey Today

Two Pennsylvania parents, Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson, have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child after their 17-month-old toddler was injured by a wolf at Hersheypark's ZooAmerica over the weekend. According to police, the child reached through a fence into the wolf enclosure while the parents were about 25-30 feet away, allegedly distracted by their phones. Bystanders intervened to pull the child away, and the toddler suffered minor injuries.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about parental supervision and safety protocols at public zoos and animal exhibits, especially those located within popular family-oriented theme parks like Hersheypark. It also highlights the potential risks posed by allowing close public access to dangerous wild animals, and the need for enhanced safety measures to protect young children.

The details

Police say the toddler squeezed through a small opening in the wooden perimeter fence and reached through the primary fence enclosure, where a wolf grabbed the child's hand with its mouth. Several bystanders then intervened and helped pull the child away. The child suffered minor injuries from the wolf's bite.

  • The incident occurred over the weekend at Hersheypark's ZooAmerica exhibit.

The players

Carrie Sortor

A 43-year-old Pennsylvania parent charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Stephen Wilson

A 61-year-old Pennsylvania parent charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

ZooAmerica

An animal exhibit located within Hersheypark, a popular family-oriented theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

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What’s next

The parents, Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson, are scheduled to appear in court on April 15th to face the charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder for all parents to remain vigilant and attentive when visiting public spaces with dangerous wild animals, even in seemingly safe and family-friendly environments like theme parks. It also underscores the need for enhanced safety measures and stricter enforcement to protect young children from potential harm.