Child Dies After Being Strangled by Pet Python in Florida

[Krow]

They should have taken extra precaution to lock the snake in its enclosure, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY HAD A BABY IN THE HOUSE!!!! What was going through their mind when they had the snake, & then they have baby, maaaaaybe get rid of the snake?!?! Or lock it in, close the door to the room, lock that door, & close the babies door & lock it?!? I dont know what else to say, its just horrible.

 

[T&KBrouse]

This whole story wreaks of inconsistancies.
The snake was maybe 9 feet, but was horribly malnourished.
If he came at the snake with a knife and a meat cleaver, why did the snake only have superficial wounds?
The snake had allegedly escaped the same enclosure earlier in the day, so the owner put it in a pillowcase, then put it back in the enclosure. Why was the animal not in an escape-proof room, if he knew it was an escape risk?
Cause of death was asphyxiation (sp?). From what?

I've seen it mentioned a couple times now and have to agree: They had a dead kid and needed something to blame it on.

 

[paulnj]

Who has time to get a knife and cleaver when you find a 9 foot snake in the crib?

Have no fear, EXACT cause Of death can be determined from internal bruising, dermal impressions and so on. Someone is going to JAIL and I hope they rot there for life !!!!!!!!!!

 

[LizMarie]

Cause of death was asphyxiation (sp?). From what?

I've seen it mentioned a couple times now and have to agree: They had a dead kid and needed something to blame it on.

I don't know much about snakes but if she was wrapped up by the snake what do you think would have caused her death?

 

[T&KBrouse]

A pillow over the face could have caused asphyxia.
If they're basing their conclusion from evidence of occular petichiae, that could have been caused by the snake, but it also is a sign of abuse.

I'm not saying the snake couldn't have done this, but from working many years with the medical examiners office and seeing more child deaths than I care to remember, with the evidence we (as the public) has, just blaming the snake seems fishy, at best.

 

[Khrysty]

Maybe it's my distrust in people saying this, but I have to agree with everyone saying the snake was just a cover-up. It's possible, I suppose, that the snake really did break out of its cage and strangle the girl, but the evidence presented in the article just doesn't seem to point in that direction.

I hope the authorities figure that one out quickly and someone gets life in prison.

This whole thing is a sorry case of neglect. Either way it happened. Innocent animals, just like innocent children, SHOULD be protected and cared for. Always. The snake was in terrible shape to begin with, but because it was a snake, it's being blamed. How fair is that?. It's so upsetting, and I my faith in humanity continues to wane..

 

[T&KBrouse]

Maybe it's my distrust in people saying this, but I have to agree with everyone saying the snake was just a cover-up. The snake was in terrible shape to begin with, but because it was a snake, it's being blamed. How fair is that?. It's so upsetting, and I my faith in humanity continues to wane..

It is sad to say, Khrysty, and I know its callas to say, but thats exactly why I work with the dead ones.

 

[T&KBrouse]

Both mom and boyfriend are being charged with manslaughter
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/au...other-girl-killed-python/news-breaking-yahoo/

 

[BalloonzForU]

This is what I wanted to see, takes blame off the snake!!!

"Although the albino Burmese python was the instrument of death, the two adults in the home are responsible for ensuring the child's safety and welfare," Assistant State Attorney Peter Magrino said.

The couple knew the snake posed a serious risk, and it had escaped several times before, Magrino said."

 

[Mel&Keith]

Great news! I feel sorry for her 2 older children. Like life's not rough enough living with mom and her drug addict boyfriend. Hopefully there are more responsible family members for them to live with.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Although my heart breaks for the tragic death of a little toddler, and the grief and pain her parents will have to live with for the rest of their lives, I am glad that THEY are being held accountable and not the snake. IMO, if that python had been housed and fed properly this would not have happened. It's not difference than an adult leaving a loaded gun where a toddler would gain access to it and inadvertently kill herself. The gun (and in this case the snake) are not to blame. The parents are.

I hope this will set a precedence for irresponsible animal keepers that they could go to prison for manslaughter, not to mention the guilt they would have to carry for a lifetime.

 

[paulnj]

Although my heart breaks for the tragic death of a little toddler, and the grief and pain her parents will have to live with for the rest of their lives, I am glad that THEY are being held accountable and not the snake. IMO, if that python had been housed and fed properly this would not have happened. It's not difference than an adult leaving a loaded gun where a toddler would gain access to it and inadvertently kill herself. The gun (and in this case the snake) are not to blame. The parents are.

I hope this will set a precedence for irresponsible animal keepers that they could go to prison for manslaughter, not to mention the guilt they would have to carry for a lifetime.

I 100% agree Marcia!

This is a shame on so many levels and surely could have been avoided with commonsense and a bit of responsibility to one's pet and family.

 

[GrimmyX15]

It was People's Fault. Felt Sorry for Girl. Mother and Boyfriend should be Throw in Jail for not having Respodtily death of child and Snake too. They would think having 12 '' snake living in home and they have child there. there's a dangerous. Wow. I saw one in news. Thank for posting this because i cant understand what in news saying because im deaf. Now i understand. Poor Child.

 

[GrimmyX15]

A group of members were talking about this in the chat.

It is absolutely horrible that, that poor child had to die and it was hard to read that article but then again I don't blame the snake, the ones I blame are the irresponsible adults in the situation.

This snake didn't know the difference between right and wrong, instead it acts on instinct and instinct alone like any and all other reptiles. I can only imagine the poor, unsecure conditions that the snake was living in that lead to this horrible incident. I just don't know what is wrong with people now a days, do they not think?

Yes I Agree with You. Blame to parents. Poor child.

 

[got spots?]

DAMN!!! that is really sad.... thats why i stick to balls. Poor girl!!! R.I.P. Even if the guy had a permit what would that have changed?????

imo if you pay 100$ more for a permit you will research a lil and take care of it.