INDIANA FATHER SENTENCED AFTER FAMILY DOG FATALLY ATTACKS NEWBORN

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. Jason Anthony Weaver died on September 4, 2025, after being attacked by Chomp, a five-year-old husky and pit bull mix. The infant suffered more than 180 bite wounds as well as severe internal injuries, including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears to his lungs.

According to a police report, the baby's father, Austin Kinsey, told investigators that he had been playing video games in the same room as Jason before briefly leaving to speak with other members of the family. The baby's grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, later heard noises coming from the room and found the dog dragging the infant around. Police officers who arrived at the property attempted to perform CPR on the child, but he could not be revived.

Investigators also reported poor living conditions inside the family home. Court documents described the property as containing large amounts of rubbish, dirty dishes, dirty clothes and insects, while bugs were reportedly found on the baby's car seat. One police officer said the amount of rubbish and debris inside the house made it difficult to move around. Authorities later ordered the family to leave the property after it was declared unfit for habitation.

The family had reportedly considered Chomp gentle around the baby, but court records indicated that the dog had previously displayed aggression towards other animals and had bitten people. The animal was subsequently euthanised. Kinsey was initially charged with two counts of neglect and another offence relating to keeping a non-immunised dog that caused an injury.

The most serious neglect charge was eventually dropped as part of a plea agreement, leading to Kinsey's 16-year prison sentence on Monday. Meanwhile, Jason's mother, Violet Weaver, is scheduled to appear 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 still pending.