Kevin Grasha

kgrasha@enquirer.com

Michelle Gregg was heard telling her 3-year-old son not to go into the Cincinnati Zoo's gorilla exhibit.

When Gregg turned away for a few seconds to attend to another of her children, witnesses said the boy climbed over a fence and fell into a moat surrounding the exhibit – something that hadn't happened in the 38 years since it opened.

"This happened so quickly… there's nothing the mother could have done," Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said Monday as he announced Gregg would not face charges.

The boy fell about 15 feet into the moat's shallow water. To ensure the boy’s safety, zoo officials killed a 17-year-old silverback gorilla, Harambe, who had climbed down into the water and eventually began dragging the boy around.

Deters said a zoo worker killed the 450-pound gorilla with a single rifle shot to the head. The boy suffered only a few scrapes and bruises, Deters told reporters at a news conference.

He provided a few more details than had previously been known about the May 28 incident.

Gregg was at the zoo that afternoon with the boy, his three sisters – ages 7, 4 and 1 – Gregg's friend and her two sons, ages 7 and 17.

"By all accounts… this mother did not act in any way where she presented this child to some harm," Deters said. "If anyone doesn't believe a 3-year-old can scamper off very quickly – they've never had kids. They can, and they do."

Gorilla killed after 3-year-old falls into zoo enclosure

Deters' announcement came several days after The Enquirer reported that the Cincinnati Police Department had completed its investigation without recommending charges. Deters said county social workers interviewed Gregg, who works as site manager for a College Hill early childhood education center, over the weekend. She lives in Butler County.

Deters said the zoo has made changes to the border that surrounds the exhibit. It is scheduled to reopen Tuesday.

Cincinnati police made four investigatory visits to the zoo, conducted four witness interviews, interviewed Gregg and reviewed the same cell phone footage of the incident that has been widely circulated. Deters said the zoo doesn't operate cameras in the exhibit.

The family released a statement shortly after Monday's news conference.

"The family is very pleased with this decision; it is what we expected. This is one more step in allowing us to put this tragic episode behind us and return to our normal family life," the statement said. "We extend thanks to all of those who have been praying for us and who have supported us through this trying ordeal and praise to God for His mercy and grace."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting an investigation regarding the safety and operation of the zoo. Hamilton County commissioners have said they will ask their appointees to the zoo board to conduct an investigation.

A Gregg family spokeswoman has said there are no plans to pursue a lawsuit against the zoo.

USA Today contributed to this report.