A mum faces up to six months in jail if convicted after she dropped her two-year-old son into a zoo's cheetah enclosure.
Michelle Schwab, a childcare boss has now been charged with child endangering by officials after dangling him over the railings.
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."
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"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."
The zoo's cheetah exhibit has since reopened, but the overlook area where the incident took place remains closed.
Source - Mirror
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