Parents arrested and charged with felony after child bit by python

[uafgrad]

LAS VEGAS — Police say the parents of a 3-year-old boy who was attacked by a pet python snake have been arrested on felony child neglect, abuse and endangerment charges.

Records showed that 26-year-old Anthony Melendrez and 25-year-old Melissa Melendrez were being held Tuesday at the Clark County jail pending initial court appearances on Thursday.

Police say the 18-foot python bit and coiled itself around the boy Jan. 20 at a southwest Las Vegas home.

Officials say the snake began squeezing the breath out of the child before Melissa Melendrez stabbed the snake more than a dozen times with a kitchen knife.

The python was later euthanized by animal control officials.

Investigators allege that a 5-year-old child who was in the home also was endangered.

[python.princess]

That's horrible. Poor little boy!

[Malice]

heres a good link...

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9718863

[iCandiBallPythons]

Rack up 2 more for irresponsible owners. Seems like boids are on their way of being ranked the " vicious pitbulls" of the reptile world by the media...

[MasonC2K]

Rack up 2 more for irresponsible owners. Seems like boids are on their way of being ranked the " vicious pitbulls" of the reptile world by the media...

Well, it seems like the focus is on the parents more than the snake. It would be interesting to know the details of the case.

[Egapal]

I think the parents should be charged. They got there child attacked and a snake killed. I am going out this weekend to see if I can get a lock for my sliding glass doors to keep people out of my 2 foot BP enclosure. What would possess someone to have an 18 footer behind an unlocked door. I mean I would have signs up on the door. Reading

"There is an 18 foot Python behind this door. This snake is welcome in our home but it is not a pet. Do not go inside this room alone. Do not go in this room unless you have experience handling giant snakes."

and then there would be a look or two on the door. Amazing how stupid people can be.

[snakelover88]

I think the parents should be charged. They got there child attacked and a snake killed. I am going out this weekend to see if I can get a lock for my sliding glass doors to keep people out of my 2 foot BP enclosure. What would possess someone to have an 18 footer behind an unlocked door. I mean I would have signs up on the door. Reading

"There is an 18 foot Python behind this door. This snake is welcome in our home but it is not a pet. Do not go inside this room alone. Do not go in this room unless you have experience handling giant snakes."

and then there would be a look or two on the door. Amazing how stupid people can be.

Definitly agree with you. Bad parenting and bad pet owner in this case. Should have locked the cage! Thank god the kids are still alive.

[MasonC2K]

At the news site linked above, there's a video version of the story. It seems like the snake didn't belong to them. They were just watching it for someone else.

I'd be pissed if I was the owner that asked these people to watch their snake.

[Egapal]

At the news site linked above, there's a video version of the story. It seems like the snake didn't belong to them. They were just watching it for someone else.

I'd be pissed if I was the owner that asked these people to watch their snake.

Even worse. Bad parenting, bad pet sitting, bad keeper. What exactly are you doing that you need someone to pet sit an 18 foot snake in the sitters home. Put a web came on the snake and give your keys to a sitter. Call them if you need them. That snake could easily go months without food. I just can't imagine a situation that I could be in where that was the only choice I could make. The best I can come up with is if I was being put in jail for more than 6 months and even then I would euthanize the animal myself before giving it to an inexperienced keeper without the proper setup and a small child.

[Jenn]

Lock them up and throw away the key. It's people like this that make us all look bad.