US father jailed 16 years after family dog kills one-week-old son

Austin Kinsey was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Monday. Photo: Huntington County Jail

A one-week-old baby was killed by the family dog in Indiana, United States, after the animal attacked him more than 180 times, with the child’s father later sentenced to 16 years in prison, New York Post reports.

The baby, 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 the New York Post on Wednesday, the infant suffered more than 180 bite wounds and serious internal injuries, including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears to his lungs.

Jason’s father, Austin Kinsey, told police that he had been playing video games in the same room as the baby before briefly leaving to speak with other family members, according to a police report obtained by WPTA.

The baby’s grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, later heard noises and found Chomp dragging the infant around the room.

Police officers who arrived at the house attempted to perform CPR on Jason, but he could not be revived.

Investigators also documented poor conditions at the home, which court documents described as containing trash, dirty dishes, dirty clothes and insects. Bugs were also reportedly found on the baby’s car seat.

An officer said there was “so much trash and debris” that it was difficult to move through the house, according to the report cited by the New York Post.

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The family had reportedly described Chomp as gentle with the baby, but court documents said 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 keeping a non-immunised dog that caused an injury.

The highest-level neglect charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement, after which Kinsey was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Monday.

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, also remain pending.

Authorities later ordered the family to leave the property after it was deemed unfit for habitation.