Parents Charged After Child Injured by Wolf at ZooAmerica

17-month-old suffered minor injuries after being left unattended near wolf exhibit

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wolf's mouth with its teeth slightly bared, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A wolf's mouth, captured in stark detail, serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers when young children are left unattended near wild animal exhibits.Lancaster Today

Police have charged the parents of a 17-month-old boy who was left unattended near a wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Security footage showed the child slipping through an exterior barrier and putting his hand into the wolf exhibit, where one of the wolves briefly grabbed the child's hand before others intervened.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of proper supervision and safety protocols at zoos, where dangerous animals are on display. It also raises questions about parental responsibility and the potential consequences of leaving young children unattended in public spaces.

The details

According to police, the parents, 43-year-old Carrie Sortor and 61-year-old Stephen Wilson of Lititz, Pennsylvania, walked about 25-30 feet away from the wolf habitat to an area with benches and looked at their phones while their 17-month-old child was near the wolf exhibit. The child was able to slip through the exterior barrier and put his hand into the enclosure, at which point one of the wolves briefly grabbed the child's hand before others intervened.

  • The incident occurred on April 6, 2026.
  • The parents are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 28, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.

The players

Carrie Sortor

A 43-year-old Lancaster County resident who has been charged with endangering the welfare of children.

Stephen Wilson

A 61-year-old Lancaster County resident who has been charged with endangering the welfare of children.

Garth Warner

The chief of the Derry Township Police Department, who investigated the incident.

Amanda Polyak

The public relations manager for Hershey, the company that owns ZooAmerica.

ZooAmerica

A zoo located in Hershey, Pennsylvania that is owned by the Hershey company.

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What they’re saying

“The neglect was that they left the child unattended.”

— Garth Warner, Chief of Derry Township Police Department

“One of the wolves saw what was in proximity, and he went over, grabbed the hand with its mouth for just a brief period of time, until some folks were able to intervene.”

— Garth Warner, Chief of Derry Township Police Department

“This was not an aggressive action, but rather a brief, investigatory behavior consistent with how wild canines interact with unfamiliar objects in their environment. A wolf uses its mouth the way humans use hands.”

— Amanda Polyak, Public Relations Manager, Hershey

What’s next

The parents, Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 28, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. to determine if they will face further charges.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of proper supervision and safety protocols at zoos, where dangerous animals are on display. It also serves as a reminder for parents to closely monitor their children in public spaces to prevent potentially dangerous situations.