2-year-old Florida girl killed by python

Update: 7/2/09

The python escaped from its cage in the middle of the night and strangled Shaiunna Hare while she was asleep.

When the snake’s owner, Charles Jason Darnell, realized the snake was missing, he went into the toddler’s bedroom and saw the snake wrapped around the child with bite marks on her head.

Darnell, who is the boyfriend of the child’s mother, stabbed the snake until he was able to pry the child away.

Original story

A 2-year-old girl was strangled at her home this morning by her family’s 12-foot pet python, officials said.

According to reports, the fatal incident occurred around 10:00 this morning while the toddler’s parents were at home.

It is not clear if the snake got loose or if someone was handling it when the python bit the child on the forehead.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, pythons are a nonnative species to Florida and most of them are brought over as pets then let loose in the wild.

They are asking anyone who comes across a python to call wildlife officials at 1-888-404-FWCC.