Toddler Injured After Reaching Into Zoo Wolf Enclosure

Parents charged with child endangerment after incident at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wolf's open jaws and sharp teeth, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the sudden and dangerous nature of the incident.A wolf's instinctive response to a child's hand reaching into its enclosure exposes the risks of unsupervised zoo visits.Hershey Today

An 18-month-old child suffered minor injuries after reaching into a wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The toddler's parents, Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson, have been charged with child endangerment for allegedly leaving the child unsupervised near the exhibit.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of proper supervision and safety protocols at zoos, where dangerous animals can pose a serious threat to young children who wander into restricted areas. The charges against the parents also raise questions about parental responsibility and liability in such situations.

The details

According to police, the toddler slipped under an outer fence, crawled to the main barrier of the wolf habitat, and put their hand through the metal fencing. A wolf then latched onto the child's hand with its mouth. Bystanders helped pull the child away, and the toddler suffered only minor injuries. Investigators say the parents were seated 25 to 30 feet from the child and appeared to be focused on their phones until they heard the commotion.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday at ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The players

Carrie Sortor

The 43-year-old parent of the toddler who was charged with child endangerment.

Stephen Wilson

The 61-year-old parent of the toddler who was charged with child endangerment.

ZooAmerica

The zoo in Hershey, Pennsylvania where the incident took place.

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What’s next

Police are asking witnesses or anyone with video of the incident to contact Sgt. Dennis Eckenrode at 717-534-2202.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder for parents to maintain constant vigilance when visiting zoos and other public spaces with young children, as even a momentary lapse in supervision can lead to dangerous and potentially tragic consequences.