An Indiana father has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his one-week-old son was fatally attacked by the family dog at their home in Markle, United States.
The baby, Jason Anthony Weaver, died on September 4, 2025, after being attacked by Chomp, a five-year-old husky and pit bull mix.
Jason suffered more than 180 bite wounds, along with severe injuries including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears to his lungs.
The baby’s father, Austin Kinsey, was sentenced on Monday after reaching a plea agreement in connection with his son’s death.
Kinsey had initially faced two counts of neglect of a dependent and a charge relating to harboring a non-immunised dog that caused an injury.
Under the plea agreement, the highest-level neglect charge was dropped in exchange for a 16-year prison sentence on a lesser charge.
According to a police report, Kinsey told investigators that he had been playing video games in the same room as Jason before briefly leaving to speak with other family members.
The baby’s grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, later heard noises and found Chomp dragging the infant.
He brought Jason to other relatives, who called emergency services. Police officers who arrived at the home attempted CPR before paramedics took over, but the baby could not be revived.
The circumstances surrounding the death became more troubling as investigators examined the family home and the dog’s history.
Police described the property as being filled with trash, dirty dishes, dirty clothes and insects. Bugs were also reportedly found on the baby’s car seat.
The Huntington County Health Department subsequently determined that the property was unfit for habitation and ordered the occupants to leave.
Investigators also found that Chomp had previously shown aggressive behaviour.
Although relatives described the dog as gentle around Jason, court records indicated that it had been aggressive towards other animals and had bitten people before.
Authorities also learned that family members had discussed removing the dog or having it put down before the baby’s birth.
Chomp and other dogs were removed from the home following the fatal attack. The dog was later euthanised.
Kinsey is the first family member charged over Jason’s death to be sentenced.
The baby’s mother, Violet Weaver, is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing later this month, while cases involving Jason’s grandfather Timothy Kinsey, Rita Wickey, Michael Wickey and his uncle Tony Kinsey remain pending.
The charges against the other family members stem from the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death and the alleged neglect discovered during the investigation.
Jason was seven days old when he died. His death has remained the subject of legal proceedings for a year, with Kinsey’s sentencing marking the first major resolution in the case.
