Harambe the slain gorilla. Photo courtesy of Forbes.
Summary: The parents of the boy who fell into a gorilla’s cage may face criminal charges.
The outrage spurned by the death of silverback gorilla Harambe has resonated across the internet. Many have called Harambe’s death senseless while others have attacked the boy’s family, saying they shouldn’t have let him wander into the cage. But now the parents may be facing a new problem—a possible criminal charge.
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According to The Daily Mail, police have said the four-year-old boy’s family may face criminal charges. The boy wandered into the cage of rare animal, Harambe, and the staff of the Cincinnati Zoo said they were forced to kill the gorilla, who had been touching the boy. Cell phone video shows the gorilla dragging the boy along a shallow river, but some have argued the gorilla was being protective, not dangerous.
The boy’s mother, Michelle Gregg, took to Facebook to say that “God protected my child until the authorities were able to get to him.” She added that, “As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids. Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place today.”
Deidre Lykins, a patron of the zoo that day, took to Facebook to defend Gregg. She said that Gregg was not negligent that day, and that the boy had just disappeared after being mostly by her side.
“This was an open exhibit!” Lykins said. “Which means the only thing separating you from the gorillas, is a 15 ish foot drop and a moat and some bushes!”
Despite these accounts, the public wants justice for the death of Harambe. Thousands have already signed a petition on Change.org calling for the boy’s parents to be held accountable.
Do you think the child’s parents are responsible for the gorilla’s death? How so? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: The Daily Mail