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.
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