A father in Indiana, United States, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his one-week-old son was fatally mauled by the family dog in their home.
Jason Anthony Weaver died on September 4, 2025, after being attacked by Chomp, a five-year-old husky-pit bull mix, at the family’s home in Markle, Indiana.
The infant suffered more than 180 bite wounds and sustained severe internal injuries, including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears to his lungs, according to a report by the New York Post.
Police records obtained by WPTA showed that Jason’s father, Austin Kinsey, told investigators he had been playing video games in the same room as the baby before briefly leaving to speak with other family members.
Jason’s grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, later heard noises coming from the room and went to check what was happening.
He reportedly found Chomp dragging the infant around the room.
Responding police officers attempted to perform CPR on the baby, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Investigators subsequently raised concerns about the condition of the family’s home, which court documents described as containing large amounts of trash, dirty dishes, dirty clothes and insects.
According to the police report, bugs were also found on the baby’s car seat, while an officer described the property as having so much trash and debris that it was difficult to move around.
Court documents further indicated that although the family had described Chomp as gentle with Jason, the dog had previously displayed aggressive behaviour towards other animals and had bitten people.
The dog was later euthanised.
Kinsey was initially charged with two counts of neglect and a separate offence relating to keeping a non-immunised dog that caused an injury.
As part of a plea agreement, the highest-level neglect charge was dropped. Kinsey was then sentenced to 16 years in prison on Monday.
Meanwhile, Jason’s mother, Violet Weaver, is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing later this month.
Cases involving the baby’s grandparents, Timothy Kinsey, Rita Wickey and Michael Wickey, as well as his uncle, Tony Kinsey, are also still pending.
Authorities later ordered the family to leave the property after it was declared unfit for habitation.
