Woman fires back after haters mistake her for mom of child who got into gorilla enclosure

CINCINNATI — Ohio mother Michelle Gregg found herself on the receiving end of hate messages and internet scorn Monday, but it was all a mix-up. She happens to have the same name as the mother of the little boy who wound up inside a gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Gregg posted on Facebook that she’s received a “crazy amount” of friend requests since the other Michelle Gregg went public as the boy’s mother. You’ll recall that the gorilla, Harambe, had to be put down, as officials felt that was the only way to safely get the boy out of the enclosure. Along with those requests, Gregg received a slew of hate messages.

She posted the photo below with this caption:

"Yesterday I received a crazy amount of friend requests… I don't really keep up with the news, however I am very familiar with the 4 year old boy who made his way into the gorillas exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo. I literally just found out his mother's name is Michelle Gregg….. yikes! So I instantly go check my 'filtered' email and find a bunch of hate emails."

Gregg clapped back at her e-haters with this crafty profile photo.

Since changing her photo and making it clear she was not involved in the incident, Gregg has received some positive feedback.

The Michelle Gregg whose son was inside the gorilla’s enclosure did post a statement on Facebook explaining what happened to her son. She has since deleted that post.

Cox Media Group