By now you have all probably heard about the recent tragedy at the Pittsburgh Zoo. I am not normally the soapbox type, but an announcement this morning got me pretty steamed.
The news report said that our District Attorney, Stephen Zappala, could find no evidence of negligence on the part of the mother and no charges were filed against the mother. No negligence?
"Maddox Derkosh was killed almost immediately after he fell over the railing of an exhibit of African painted dogs and was attacked by 11 of the animals. His mother, Elizabeth Derkosh, 34, had lifted him on top of the railing to give the boy with poor eyesight a better view. Holding him by the waist, she lost control, Zappala said.
Um, you took your child from behind a protective barrier and placed him atop it and failed to hold him securely. That pretty much defines negligence!
I read more about the story online, and it turns out that the radio misquoted Zappala. He actually found no criminal misconduct. OK, that's a little better, the mother apparently didn't break a law and therefore cannot be prosecuted. I am assuming that we have no child endangerment laws here in PA, I'm not sure, I'm not a lawyer. It is perfectly legal to throw your kids to the wolves (or dogs) if you want. Good to know, way to keep us safe Zappala.
But wait, it gets worse. Because this is America, we cannot be held responsible for our stupidity, but we should be able to sue someone with money when we are. And so it begins:
"The child may have believed there was a Plexiglas barrier as he appeared to lunge forward, the prosecutor said. Zappala said he was still investigating whether the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium might be culpable of negligence, manslaughter or endangering welfare of children because of the design of the exhibit."
The legal team has already slyly added "child with poor eyesight" to the description of the victim to start the sympathy for mom, and now they are introducing the idea of a barrier that "should have been there". That will play well in court eh? It's the Zoo's fault because they only provided a 12-foot drop into the exhibit, railings, walls, fences and warning signs. That is not enough! If I lift my child high enough, I can still get him over the protective barrier! And this opening looks like it could possibly have incredibly clean and clear plexiglass over it...you fooled me! Shame on you Pittsburgh Zoo! It's your fault!
I agree that this is a tragedy, and I feel horrible for a young life cut short. I can even, kinda see how it might be a mistake or an accident. I mean, I would never put my child in harm's way like that, but that's just me. But to blame the Zoo? Come on lady, you screwed up. Feel horrible, punish yourself, grieve for the loss of your child, but don't try to skirt the blame that you deserve. And don't take away everyone else's enjoyment of the exhibits with more and more barriers!
OK, she didn't throw him.
