The Latest: Family of boy in gorilla pen pleased by decision

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Latest on a prosecutor's decision on whether to file c-harges against the family of a 3-year-old boy who entered a gorilla exhibit (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

The family of a 3-year-old boy who got into the Cincinnati Zoo's gorilla exhibit says it is pleased by a prosecutor's decision not to c-harge with mother with any crimes.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced Monday that he wasn't seeking any c-harges against the mother, who was at the zoo with her son the day he entered the gorilla exhibit.

The boy's family says, "This is one more step in allowing us to put this tragic episode behind us and return to our normal family life."

The boy apparently climbed over the outer barrier of the gorilla exhibit before falling some 15 feet into a shallow moat May 28. A special response team shot and killed the 17-year-old western lowland gorilla to protect him.

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1 p.m.

An Ohio prosecutor says he isn't seeking c-harges against the mother of a 3-year-old boy who got into the Cincinnati Zoo's gorilla exhibit, resulting in the shooting of an endangered gorilla to protect him.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE'-turs) announced the decision Monday. He says the child's mother had three other children with her, and she was attending to them when the 3-year-old "just scampered off."

The Cincinnati police had investigated the family's actions in the incident May 28.

The zoo plans to reopen its Gorilla World on Tuesday with a higher, reinforced barrier. The boy apparently climbed over the outer barrier before falling some 15 feet into a shallow moat. A special response team shot and killed the 17-year-old western lowland gorilla named Harambe to protect the boy.

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12:25 a.m.

An Ohio prosecutor is set to release his decision on whether he will pursue c-harges against the family of a 3-year-old boy who got into the Cincinnati Zoo's gorilla exhibit, leading to the fatal shooting of an endangered gorilla.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE'-turz) has scheduled a news conference for Monday.

Legal experts have said that prosecution on child endangerment or similar c-harges seems unlikely. The family has declined to comment.

The zoo says it was the first such breach in Gorilla World's 38 years of existence, but the exhibit will reopen Tuesday with a higher, reinforced barrier.

The boy apparently climbed over the barrier May 28 before falling about 15 feet into a shallow moat. A special response team shot the 17-year-old western lowland gorilla to protect the boy.