The parents of a five-year-old boy who fell from a ski lift at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort in Pennsylvania in March are now facing felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child. Micah Porter, 34, and Maya Porter, 37, of State College, were arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Tonya Osman. Both were released on unsecured bail, set at $50,000 for Micah and $30,000 for Maya.
According to court documents, the five-year-old was riding a chairlift alone on March 1 when he attempted to adjust his goggles. While twisting in his seat, the child fell approximately 20 feet to the snow-covered ground below. He was subsequently flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. State police noted a significant lapse in supervision, reporting that it took resort staff roughly 15 minutes to locate the parents after the fall occurred.
The affidavit of probable cause reveals that a lift operator had previously questioned Micah Porter about the child riding alone, Pennsylvania news outlet WTAJ reports. The operator stated that while the father and son initially rode together, the boy eventually began boarding the lift solo. When confronted, Micah allegedly told the operator that his son was an experienced skier capable of riding the lift by himself.
Maya Porter told troopers that her son was a more proficient skier than she was and often skied ahead of her on more difficult slopes. She stated she assumed he had simply headed back up the mountain when she couldn’t find him at the bottom of a run.
Micah Porter later noted to investigators that at their usual ski area, Tussey Mountain, riders must be at least 51 inches tall to ride a lift alone—a policy not mirrored in the circumstances leading up to this incident. Following the boy’s release from the hospital, the Porter family spoke publicly about the incident, emphasizing the importance of safety gear. They credited the child’s “industrial” helmet with saving his life during the 20-foot drop. Despite the fall, the resort manager reported that the child expressed a desire to return to the slopes.
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The Bedford County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the specifics of the case as it is currently in the preliminary hearing phase. However, First Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Will released a statement affirming the office’s commitment to “ensuring the safety of all the children within our jurisdiction.”
Attorneys for the Porters have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the charges.
The charges seem unwarranted. However, maybe it’s time for the ski area and/or whatever state regulatory agency oversees ski lifts to consider whether any 5 yr old should be allowed to ride a chairlift alone. As a lifelong skier and former ski patroller, this incident indicates common sense is not enough.
I’m not sure this warrants a felony charge. Seems like overkill.