A Florida family's pet Burmese python strangled their two-year-old daughter in her sleep

The family's pet 12-foot Burmese python strangled a 2-year-old girl in Sumter County, Florida, on Wednesday, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. An adult at the home woke up and found the snake wrapped around the girl in bed.

Charles Darnell, who is the boyfriend of the girl's 23-year-old mother, said he stabbed the snake and called 911, according to Lt. Bobby Caruthers.

The snake let go of the girl, identified as Shaiunna Hare, and slithered under a dresser.

Shaiunna was dead when authorities arrived about 10 a.m. Investigators said she had a small bite on her forehead.

Darnell, 32, told deputies that he left the snake in a bag inside an aquarium when the family went to sleep on Tuesday night at a home near Oxford, Florida. When he awoke he saw the snake wasn't in the aquarium and found it around Shaiunna.

Joy Hill of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Darnell does not have the required permit to own a Burmese python.

The python is one of two snakes in the home. The other is a 6-foot boa constrictor.

Carruthers said both snakes are still in the home while authorities wait for a search warrant. Two other children and the girl's mother, Sharon Hare, also live at the home.

Although Burmese pythons are not native to Florida, many people own the snakes, which can grow to more than 15 feet and weigh more than 150 pounds. Florida wildlife officials also have reported finding more Burmese pythons released by owners into the wild, especially in the Everglades after the snakes become too large.

Pythons can kill by wrapping themselves around a human and constricting. Tim Williams, a snake expert who works for Gatorland, said permits are required for the snakes because of the threat they pose to native species, pets and children if they escape.

"It's a tragedy what happened to that family. I can't imagine. But these aren't the kind of pet to have around kids," Williams said.

"You should definitely use due diligence in having them, no matter who you have in the house," wildlife officer Lt. Joy Hill said. "They can easily swallow a child."

Officials with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are at the home to investigate.