First picture of mum who dropped two-year-old boy into cheetah enclosure at zoo

A mum who dropped her two-year-old son into a zoo’s cheetah enclosure after dangling him over the railings is a childcare boss, it has emerged.

Michelle Schwab has now been charged with child endangering by officials and faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

The 37-year-old was seen holding her son over the cheetah pit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo around 3pm on Saturday when he slipped and fell 10ft.

As other visitors looked on in horror Schwab, who was visiting from her home in of Delaware, Ohio, and her husband jumped over the railings to rescue their screaming son.

The toddler was left with injuries to his legs which required hospital attention.


Dr Christopher Kuhar, executive director of the zoo, said: "Cleveland Metroparks Zoo continues to place the safety of our visitors, employees, animals and volunteers as our top priority.

"Child endangering charges have been filed with Cleveland Municipal Court in the incident from Saturday, April 11 when a two year old was dropped into the cheetah exhibit.

"The investigation is ongoing."

"While this incident is disturbing to everyone, we are glad injuries were not any more severe."

After being charged Schwab's employer also launched their own investigation to see whether she is fit enough to continue in her job as assistant director at the Sawmill Road KinderCare in Columbus, Ohio.

Spokeswoman Colleen Moran said she "will remain out of the centre while this issue is investigated and addressed."

Moran added: “In addition to the agencies looking into this issue, we are looking into the incident further ourselves, as we closely examine issues involving the treatment of children by our employees, even if those incidents arise outside of our centres.”

Schwab is due in Cleveland Municipal Court on April 22.

The zoo’s cheetah exhibit has since reopened, but the overlook area where the incident took place remains closed.


Credit: Daily Mirror