First pic of convicted criminal father who let his boy climb into a gorilla cage

The parents of a four-year-old boy who fell into a gorilla enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo in the US have been pictured and named.

Harambe, a 17-year-old gorilla was shot dead after dragging the boy violently around the enclosure. Many have criticised the zoo’s decision to shoot the rare species – and now, further outrage has been expressed after it was revealed the boy’s father is a convicted criminal.

Michelle Gregg, 32, has four children by father Deonne Dickerson, 36, a man with a lengthy criminal history that stretches over a decade including burglary, firearms offences, drug trafficking, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and kidnap.

And in 2006 Deonne was sentenced to one year behind bars for a drug trafficking conviction.

Many social media commenters have criticised the parents, saying they should be held accountable for Harambe’s death.