“All I can tell you is what I was informed per the investigation,” said Rachel Souza, who identified herself as the girl’s grandmother. “It was an accident.”
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The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office said the cause and manner of death for Arez is listed as pending, and that won’t change until toxicology results and other testing is complete. The girl’s autopsy was completed Tuesday.
“Today the heavens received a beautiful angel that was taken (too) soon,” the page reads. “Arez was a wonderful baby full of smile, cuddles and laughs. She loved playing with her baby sister and big brother.
“Sadly she was taken away by a tragic accident, and the family needs help to put this beautiful baby to rest; anything you can do is (appreciated).”
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“She was a very happy child,” Souza told this news organization.
Souza didn’t want to elaborate on details and didn’t know why there were dead animals in the house.
Dayton police didn’t say what kind of injuries Arez suffered, but investigators did not think the 15 dead snakes and one dead cat at the residence had anything to do with her death. A living snake, rabbit and dog also were taken from the house.
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Officials said the dead snakes were contained, not loose in the home. Most were pythons with a couple possibly being corn snakes. The Animal Resource Center hasn’t decided on whether to bring charges. ARC has the dog, a shar pei mix and the Human Society has the rabbit. The snake, a 4.5-foot boa constrictor, has been placed in foster care after a veterinarian check.
A Facebook page matching the name of Arez’s mother includes pictures of snakes and posts that say the mother “likes snakes.”
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A Montgomery County Children Services spokesman said a case was opened following the girl’s death involving her aunt and her mother.
A Dayton police report indicated at least four adults were in the home along with other children. Four children were taken into protective custody, officials said.
Montgomery County Animal Control Director Mark Kumpf said, “The conditions inside weren’t fit for people or pets.”
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