Toddler Injured After Reaching Into Wolf Enclosure at Pennsylvania Zoo

Parents charged with endangering child welfare for allegedly being distracted by phones

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wolf's teeth and jaws, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A wolf's instinctive reaction to a toddler's hand in its enclosure exposes the risks of distracted parenting at the zoo.Hershey Today

A toddler was injured after reaching into a wolf enclosure at a zoo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, while his parents were allegedly looking at their cellphones instead of supervising him. The parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of children.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of distracted parenting and the need for proper supervision at public attractions. It also raises questions about zoo safety protocols and whether more can be done to prevent such incidents from occurring.

The details

According to reports, the toddler crawled under an exterior perimeter fence at the Zoo America North American Wildlife Park and reached his hand through the primary metal enclosure surrounding the wolf habitat. A wolf 'instinctively' grabbed the child's hand with its mouth, but the child was never inside the wolf's enclosure. Bystanders rushed to get the child away from the fence to safety, and the child's injuries were minor.

  • The incident happened on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The parents, 43-year-old Carrie B. Sortor and 61-year-old Stephen J. B. Wilson, were charged on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Carrie B. Sortor

The 43-year-old parent of the toddler who was charged with endangering the welfare of children.

Stephen J. B. Wilson

The 61-year-old parent of the toddler who was charged with endangering the welfare of children.

Zoo America North American Wildlife Park

The zoo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where the incident occurred.

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What’s next

The parents are scheduled to appear in court on April 15, 2026, where they will face charges of endangering the welfare of children.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder for parents to remain vigilant and attentive when visiting public attractions, especially those involving wild animals. It also highlights the need for zoos to have robust safety protocols in place to prevent such incidents from occurring.