DA: Pittsburgh Zoo removing deck where tot fell

DA: Pittsburgh Zoo removing deck where tot fell

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Zoo is removing an observation deck from which a 2-year-old boy fell before he was fatally mauled by wild African dogs in an exhibit below.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. issued a statement confirming the platform’s removal after he met with zoo leaders and toured the exhibit today.

Zappala announced last week that 34-year-old Elizabeth Derkosh won’t be prosecuted in the Nov. 4 death of her son, Maddox. Zappala called his death a “tragic accident.”

The boy, who had vision issues, leaned forward and fell into the exhibit after his mother lifted him onto a wooden rail overlooking the dogs’ enclosure.

Zappala has said his investigation continues to review how to prevent future accidents and whether anyone at the zoo contributed to the boy’s death.