Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters will hold a press conference Monday to announce whether his office will pursue criminal charges against the family of a boy who climbed into a Cincinnati Zoo gorilla exhibit.

The Cincinnati Police Department completed its investigation into the incident, which has drawn international attention, earlier this week and sent its report to prosecutors.

A 3-year-old boy climbed into the gorilla enclosure area Saturday and was dragged about by a 400-pound gorilla until zoo workers shot the animal to protect the child.

The boy’s mother said she was momentarily distracted and lost track of the child.

A new, higher barrier has since been installed around the exhibit, which officials said will re-open Tuesday.

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University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez