The owner of an exotic pet store has been charged in connection with the deaths of two young brothers who were asphyxiated by a 100-pound python.
Jean-Claude Savoie, 38, is accused of criminal negligence causing death, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.
He faces a possible life sentence if found guilty.
Four-year-old Noah Barthe and his six-year-old brother Connor were found dead in the accused's apartment above the shop in the Canadian city of Campbellton, New Brunswick on 5 August 2013.
According to police, the African rock python escaped its enclosure and slithered through a ventilation pipe.
Its weight caused the pipe to collapse and it fell into the living room where the boys were staying for a sleepover with Mr Savoie's son.
Post-mortem results showed they died from asphyxiation.
Following their deaths, investigators seized 23 reptiles, banned in the province without a permit, from the store.
They also found four alligators which had been euthanised.
Though dangerous, African rock pythons are not usually known to attack humans.
Private ownership of the snakes has been banned in New Brunswick since 1992. Permits are only given to accredited zoos.
Mr Savoie is due to appear in court on 27 April.
Canary Updates
Source of News - Sky News
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