OXFORD, Fla. -- Autopsy results have confirmed that the toddler killed by a python died of asphyxiation, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said.

The owner of a snake that strangled the girl may soon face neglect charges after deputies discovered the snake was kept in its enclosure using a quilt and some rope.

Two-year-old Shaiunna Hare was killed by an 8.5-foot Burmese python, which escaped from its cage and wrapped itself around the toddler, who was asleep in a crib in her Oxford home.

The autopsy also revealed several bite marks on the girl.

"Bite mark on the forehead, there was also a couple bites on both upper arms of this poor child," Lt. Bobby Caruthers said.

Charles Jason Darnell, the owner of the snake and the boyfriend of the victim's mother, could face charges of child neglect for not properly securing the python and not having a license for the animal.

The sheriff's department said the family is being cooperative with the investigation.

Florida statutes state that it is necessary to have a permit because Burmese pythons are "reptiles of concern" and can "threaten native wildlife, cause economic damage, or pose a threat to human safety."

In addition, deputies found small amounts of marijuana in the Sumter County home.

Carrie Hoeppner of the Department of Children and Families told Local 6 News on Thursday that Darnell and the victim's mother were investigated in May after a call was placed to the agency's abuse hot line. The investigation was closed in June, and DCF officials said details -- other than the fact that it was related to substance abuse -- would not be released unless charges are filed in the ongoing investigation into the girl's death.

"Our investigators are trained to look for concerning environmental situations, whether that's an animal, that's a housing condition. If they would have seen anything that stood out to them, alarming, I have no doubt they would have contacted either animal control, or fish and wildlife " Hoeppner said.

Darnell, whose own daughter died of spinal meningitis five years ago, was emotional during the 911 call he made after finding his pet snake strangling Shaiunna.

"Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby," he said. "I'm going to kill that (expletive)."

Darnell, who is known by his middle name, Jason, stabbed the snake several times before he was able to pull Shaiunna away. The snake was treated by a veterinarian and has been placed in a place to be rehabilitated.

The python could be used as evidence if any charges are filed in the case. After that, it could be euthanized.

Meanwhile, Shaiunna's family said the girl often played with the snake.

"She would always play with it -- she would hug it and pick it up by its head and hug it and everything," said Kirsten Darnell, the victim's sister. "My 7-year-old brother walks around with it around his neck and walks around the house with it."

"He's a loving father. He has raised (Shaiunna) since she was 3 months old. He's as devastated as he was when his 2-year-old died five years ago," said family friend Danelle Geoghegan.

"She was just loving and didn't do anything bad," Kirsten Darnell said.

Oxford is located about 60 miles northwest of Orlando.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.