Cops To Investigate Family Of 4-Year-Old Who Fell Into Gorilla's Enclosure

A public outcry and debate has followed the killing of Harambe, the gorilla into whose Cincinnati Zoo enclosure a four-year-old fell. The Ohio police said that they are probing the family of the boy.

When the boy fell into the enclosure, zoo staffers had to shoot and kill the silverback gorilla.

Meanwhile, animal activists and public outcry have raised a storm against the family for killing an endangered species. Still, a number of donations are also pouring in for the family. The parents have asked that the money be given to the zoo in Harambe's memory.

"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," said the family in a statement emailed to The Washington Post.

"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."

It was on Tuesday that the Cincinnati police explained that they are considering probing the actions of the boy's parents and family, but not the "operation, safety or actions of the zoo."

"After the review, we will determine if charges need to be brought forward," police spokeswoman Tiffaney Hardy said. "If it is determined charges need to be brought forward, we would then discuss it with the Hamilton County prosecutor's office."

It was the first time that the boy entering the gorilla's exhibit barrier could enter 'Gorilla World', said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard. This enclosure opened in 1978 and "was billed as the first 'bar-less' outdoor gorilla habitat in the nation."

"The exhibit is safe, the barrier is safe," said Maynard. He added that federal inspectors, as well as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums routinely check the habitat.

Distressingly, the boy's mother has received death threats. In defence, a number of her supporters point out how difficult it is to parent a hyper-active child in a crowd.

"I also know that as a mother of two and now almost 3 kids, they can slip away in a single instant," said a blog post. "They dart between clothing racks, climb to the tops of trees, and seemingly disappear even when we're trying to pay attention and juggle life in general. It's easy to point fingers from behind a keyboard. It's easy to attack you because the mob mentality is that someone must pay and someone must be to blame. And it's easy to forget that, again, you are not the only party involved."