A father in Indiana, United States, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his one-week-old son was fatally attacked by the family dog in September 2025.
The victim, Jason Anthony Weaver, died on September 4, 2025, after being attacked by Chomp, a five-year-old husky and pit bull mix, at the family’s home in Markle, Indiana.
According to court records and local reports, the infant suffered more than 180 bite wounds, as well as severe internal injuries including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears to his lungs.
Jason’s father, Austin Kinsey, told investigators that he had been playing video games in the same room as the baby before briefly leaving to speak with other family members.
The baby’s grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, later heard noises and found the dog dragging the infant around the room.
Police officers who arrived at the residence attempted to revive Jason, but he could not be saved.
Investigators also documented poor living conditions at the property, describing the home as filled with trash, dirty dishes, clothes and insects. Bugs were reportedly found on the baby’s car seat, while the amount of debris inside the house made it difficult to move around.
Authorities subsequently ordered the family to leave the property after it was deemed unfit for habitation.
Although family members had reportedly described Chomp as gentle around the baby, investigators found that the dog had previously shown aggression towards other animals and had bitten people.
The dog was later euthanised.
Kinsey initially faced two counts of neglect and a charge relating to harbouring a non-immunised dog that caused an injury. As part of a plea agreement, the most serious neglect charge was dropped, and he was sentenced to 16 years in prison on September 14, 2026.
Jason’s mother, Violet Weaver, is also facing a neglect charge, while other family members, including the baby’s grandparents and an uncle, have pending cases connected to the infant’s death.
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