Boy who fell into gorilla pen 'still doing well,' family says
CINCINNATI — The family of a 3-year-old boy who officials say fell into a gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo said in a statement Wednesday that the boy is "still doing well."
The incident, which happened Saturday afternoon, resulted in the shooting and killing of a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla to ensure the boy's safety, zoo officials said.
Cincinnati police are investigating to help determine whether the boy's mother, 32-year-old Michelle Gregg, could face criminal criminal charges. Gregg's name was included in an unredacted police report obtained Wednesday by The Cincinnati Enquirer. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said that after the police investigation is completed, his office will confer with police about possible criminal charges.
The boy suffered “a concussion and a few scrapes,” Gregg said in a Facebook post. He was treated and released Saturday night from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The statement said he was further examined by his family doctor and determined to be doing well.
"We continue to praise God for his grace and mercy, and to be thankful to the Cincinnati Zoo for their actions taken to protect our child," the family said in the statement. "We are also very appreciative for the expressions of concern and support that have been sent to us. Some have offered money to the family, which we do not want and will not accept.
"If anyone wishes to make a gift, we recommend a donation to the Cincinnati Zoo in Harambe’s name.”
A family spokeswoman said the family is still declining all interview requests.
On Tuesday, Cincinnati police said they are “looking at the facts and circumstances” that led the boy to end up in a moat surrounding the exhibit, and will “review” the actions of the boy’s mother and others who were there.
Hamilton County commissioners Wednesday said they will ask their appointees to the zoo board to conduct an investigation into the gorilla's death.
Contributing: Dan Horn, The Cincinnati Enquirer. Follow Kevin Grasha on Twitter: @kgrasha
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