Mother of boy mauled to death at zoo won't be charged
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The mother of a 2-year-old boy who was mauled to death after falling into a zoo exhibit of wild African dogs won't be prosecuted.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Wednesday that Maddox Derkosh's death at the Pittsburgh Zoo was a "tragic accident."
His mother, 34-year-old Elizabeth Derkosh, had put him on top of a railing to view a pack of African painted dogs in early November. The boy fell off, the animals immediately pounced on him and he bled to death.
Zappala says witnesses described the boy lunging forward, as if he thought there was some sort of clear barrier to stop him.
Zappala says he's still investigating whether any charges will be filed against the zoo, and what changes need to be made there.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Wednesday that Maddox Derkosh's death at the Pittsburgh Zoo was a "tragic accident."
His mother, 34-year-old Elizabeth Derkosh, had put him on top of a railing to view a pack of African painted dogs in early November. The boy fell off, the animals immediately pounced on him and he bled to death.
Zappala says witnesses described the boy lunging forward, as if he thought there was some sort of clear barrier to stop him.
Zappala says he's still investigating whether any charges will be filed against the zoo, and what changes need to be made there.
There are railings and fences for reasons. Any "mother" who places her child in a position of danger is violating the first tenet of parenthood - protect your children at all costs because they cannot protect themselves. Personally, I think the mother should be charged.
The mother put the child in a potentially dangerous position! I haven't heard any other parents putting their infants in such a precarious position. The zoo is an innocent pawn in this clear example of sheer stupidity exhibited by the mom! The mother should have been charged with negligent homicide! Next thing you know they will kill all the wild dogs for doing what is their nature. Plus now this stupid mother is going to profit off of killing her own child by sueing the zoo! It's not just the mother that is stupid here, it's also the system that has just now allowed her to do this without fear of negitive consequences. Legal murder due to stupidity..... Hmmm, a new murder defense?
gee, if the mother wont be charged neither should the zoo.
There had better not be charges against the zoo, like my screen name says, YOU CANT CURE STUPID!
what about the millions of mothers that mall their kids?
Won't charge the mon - but possibly the zoo? What is wrong with that picture? Bet the mom - because she was not prosecuted now files a civil suit.
No need to prosecute her, she is already punishing herself and no doubt going through hell. There is nothing they could do to her that is worse than what she is going through. Sad all the way around.Â
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Charge the zoo? Really? You can't idiot proof the world, and you can't keep going after businesses when you do something stupid. Common sense isn't common anymore.  If I had failed to protect my child, and harm had come to her, it would have never occurred to me to blame it on, and sue, someone else.Â
What a horrible, stupid way to lose a child.
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