Edited news release from Stone County Sheriff's Department on Thursday afternoon:

Stone County deputies, with the help of the Humane Society of Missouri's Cruelty Division and the Missouri Department of Conservation, executed a search warrant at 45 Friday Drive, off Talking Rocks Road near Branson West.

This search warrant was obtained after information was received that the resident of home was housing a large number of venomous snakes and that several of them were dying from some type of virus. The Missouri State Humane Society asked for the assistance of Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo veterinarian and staff, who are experts in handling and identifying venomous reptiles.

Once on scene, we found the 28-year-old male resident and the 23-year-old female resident with her 3-year-old daughter. Also at the residence, was a 27-year-old friend.

In a building away from the home, investigators found numerous clear plastic storage boxes which contained the remains of dead snakes. Also inside this building was a room that contained more than 25 venomous snakes in several plastic storage boxes.

There were several different species of rattlesnakes, one cottonmouth, several spitting cobras, a green viper, a boomslang and a black mamba to name a few. All of these snakes appeared to be infected with a virus that is common to the reptile family, and forwhich there is no treatment.

In the home were several non-venomous snakes as well as a venomous cobra. Also in the home in a freezer were the bodies of several reptiles frozen in plastic bags.

A suspected wolf hybrid was running loose in the home; two monkeys were in the garage and numerous fish tanks had exotic fish. Near the home in a wooded area was an alligator approximately 3.5 feet long in a portable dog crate, and a large laundry basket full of drug paraphernalia. A Ziplock-type bag with approximately one pound of marijuana was also in this area.

The veterinarian said all the venomous snakes would have to be euthanized at the scene. A complete list of all reptiles and animals taken from the home will be available at a later date.

The male and female residents were both arrested for suspected animal abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. A decision on charges will be up the Stone County prosecuting attorney. The 3-year-old child is in protective custody in care of the state Children's Division.

The 27-year-old who was at the home at the time the warrant was served was arrested for a parole violation. All three people were in the Stone County jail on Thursday afternoon.