Parents Charged After Toddler's Hand Grabbed by Zoo Wolf

Couple accused of neglect after leaving child unattended near enclosure

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wolf's mouth, with sharp teeth and a dark, textured interior, conveying the power and unpredictability of these wild animals.A wolf's mouth, captured in a stark, gritty close-up, serves as a sobering reminder of the risks posed by wild animals, even in secured zoo exhibits.Lititz Today

Police have charged a Lancaster County couple after their 17-month-old son suffered minor injuries when a wolf grabbed his hand at a Pennsylvania zoo. Authorities say the parents, Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson, left the child unsupervised near the wolf exhibit while they looked at their phones, violating posted rules to attend to children.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of parental supervision at zoos and the risks posed when visitors do not follow safety guidelines. It also raises questions about zoo enclosure design and protocols to prevent such incidents.

The details

According to police, the parents walked about 25-30 feet away from the wolf habitat to an area with benches and looked at their phones while the child was near the wolf exhibit. The child then slipped through the exterior barrier and put his hand into the enclosure, prompting one of the wolves to briefly 'mouth' the child's hand in an investigative behavior before others intervened.

  • The incident occurred on April 8, 2026.
  • The parents, Carrie Sortor and Stephen Wilson, 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 led the investigation into the incident.

ZooAmerica

The Pennsylvania zoo where the incident occurred, which stated the wolf's behavior was an investigative 'mouthing' and not an aggressive act, and that there was no breach of the enclosure.

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What they’re saying

“'The neglect was that they left the child unattended,'”

— Garth Warner, Chief, Derry Township Police Department

“'There are signs that advise parents to attend to their children and so forth. Obviously, they did not follow those instructions,'”

— Garth Warner, Chief, 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, Hershey Public Relations Manager

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.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance and adherence to safety protocols by both parents and zoos to prevent similar incidents in the future. It also raises broader questions about balancing public access to wildlife exhibits with robust safety measures.