[chris]

Here is the 911 call that Charles "Jason" Darnell made after finding his step daughter had been killed by their pet snake in Florida. The snake, a Burmese python, had bitten and strangled her in her crib.

The mother of a 2-year-old girl who was strangled by a python, along with the mother's boyfriend who owned the snake, were arrested Monday in connection with the girl's death, according to Sumter County sheriff's officials.

Jaren Ashley Hare, 19, and Charles Jason Darnell, 32, were arrested on charges of manslaughter, third-degree murder and child abuse in the death of Shaunnia Hare, who was killed in July at her Oxford home.

Hare turned herself in to police Monday afternoon, and Darnell was already in jail on unrelated drug charges. Both are being held on $35,000 bond.

Last month, Darnell woke up at a residence in the 1500 block of county Road 466 in Oxford, which is located about 60 miles northwest of Orlando, to find Shaunnia being strangled by his 8.5-foot pet albino Burmese python, according to Sumter County sheriff's officials.

Investigators said there were several bite marks on the toddler. A medical examiner determined that she died from asphyxiation.

"Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby," Darnell said in a 911 call.

Emergency workers could not revive the girl.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the snake from the home. A 6-foot boa constrictor was also inside the house, but it did not escape its terrarium.

Darnell did not have a permit to keep the snake as a pet, deputies said. According to snake expert Scott Hardin of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Burmese python owners must have a license to keep the snake as a pet. The license costs $100 a year and mandates specific caging requirements.

"Law enforcement with the assistance of the FWC is going to investigate this case further to see if there is any kind of game violations or any other misconduct," Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said.

Hardin said the Burmese python is a popular pet because it is considered to be more docile than other snakes. He said the risk of a human attack is low, and attacks typically involve the snake's owner or immediate family.

The Humane Society of the United States said including Wednesday's death, at least 12 people have been killed in the United States by pet pythons since 1980, including five children.

Matt Harrison, a Critter Control employee who has worked with pythons for more than eight years, said the animals are extremely strong.

"A 12-foot snake is kind of like having a truck sitting on your chest. They have enough power not only to asphyxiate you, but to break bones as well," said Harrison, who added that stabbing a python would not force the animal to release its prey.

Harrison suggested throwing alcohol down the snake's throat or running hot water over it to get it to release its prey.

Harrison urged owners to be careful with pet pythons.

"Most (of) the time, as long as you're careful, you don't have anything to worry about, but occasionally, they can turn on their owners," Harrison said.

Harrison said attacks tend to be a feeding response, but he said it is important to keep cages secure and safe, especially when there are children in the house.

Harrison speculated that there are probably more pythons in Florida than anywhere else in the United States.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, pythons are a nonnative species to Florida, although some Burmese pythons have been found in parts of Florida.

An invasion of giant Burmese pythons in South Florida that made national headlines last year was "rapidly expanding" and expected to reach Central Florida, according to a University of Florida study.

"There's no part of this state that you can point at and say that pythons couldn't live here," researcher Frank Mazzotti said. "They're capable of incredible movement -- and in a relatively short period."

[deanmine]

iv kept snakes all my life, 2 things i know... im lazy, and snakes get out! Oh.. well 3 things.. aint no need for a useless Burmese. there only for show and tell and display. imo

[Faline]

don't keep snakes by babies

[deanmine]

Wait, What?...........
................The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the snake from the home. A 6-foot boa constrictor was also inside the house, but it did not escape its terrarium.............
.....................................Wait, What??

[deanmine]

oh i c... two snakes.. the boa and python .oops

[Spiffyfable]

Man that's about fucked up

[Saphiire]

Damn...poor baby... and the mans crying.....

[St. Geno]

This shit is heavy

[fattubbashit]

Fuck me I'd never have the 2 things in the same place.

[ConductDisorder]

This couple was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the little ones death.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/python-owne...ry?id=14373295