OXFORD, Fla. -- Asphyxiation was the preliminary cause of death of a little girl strangled by a Burmese python in central Florida, a medical examiner determined Thursday after conducting an autopsy.

The 2-year-old girl also been bitten by the snake, according to the autopsy report.

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

Authorities on Wednesday said the girl's name was Shaiunna Hare, but said Thursday they think her name was spelled Shaianna, citing court documents.

The boyfriend of the little girl's mother noticed his 8-foot python was missing from its terrarium when he woke up early Wednesday. Charles Darnell found the snake on top of the toddler. He stabbed the snake several times with a knife in order to free the girl.

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.

Florida wildlife officials said Darnell did not have a permit to keep the snake at the house.

Videos:

• Thursday, July 2, 2009: Toddler's Death By Python Promps Many Questions
• Wednesday, July 1, 2009: Man Finds 12-Foot Python On Top Of Toddler