An Indiana father has received a 16-year sentence after accepting a plea deal in connection with the death of his newborn son, who was fatally attacked by the family's dog last year. Austin Kinsey, the child's father, was charged following the death of one-week-old Jason Anthony Weaver on September 4th from blunt-force trauma sustained during an attack by the dog named 'Chomp.'
Kinsey was initially charged with two counts of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog that injured someone. The plea deal dismissed the most serious neglect charge in exchange for the sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction. The baby's mother, Violet Weaver, faces a charge of felony neglect of a dependent and has a change of plea hearing scheduled.
Grandparents Timothy Kinsey, Rita Wickey, and Michael Wickey, along with uncle Tony Kinsey, were also arrested. Rita and Michael Wickey each face an infraction for harboring a non-immunized dog. The cases for the grandparents and uncle remain active.
Authorities responded to the family's home in Markle, Indiana, after Chomp attacked the newborn. An officer noted a strong odor of animals, trash, and dirt throughout the residence and attempted CPR until medics arrived. The infant was transported to a Fort Wayne hospital, where he later died. An autopsy revealed Jason suffered over 180 abrasions and numerous bruises, as well as internal injuries including brain hemorrhages, fractured ribs, and torn lungs.
During the investigation, police learned that Austin Kinsey was reportedly playing video games and left the infant unattended in a car seat for less than a minute. His grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, entered the home shortly after hearing noises and seeing the dog dragging the baby, prompting a call for an ambulance. Timothy Kinsey stated he saw Chomp dragging Jason Weaver across the floor.
The family described Chomp, a five-year-old husky-pit bull mix, as generally gentle with the baby but sometimes jealous and aggressive toward other animals. Court documents indicate Chomp had bitten people previously. Some family members had reportedly discussed removing or euthanizing the dog before the baby's birth, with one family member telling police that Austin Kinsey acknowledged the need to get rid of the dog but was unable to part with his pet.
Investigators found the family home to be uninhabitable, with significant amounts of trash and the presence of insects inside the baby's car seat. The Huntington County Health Department had previously ordered the family to vacate the premises.
Chomp was removed from the home and euthanized after showing no signs of aggression or rabies at the animal shelter. Jason Weaver's death was initially ruled an accident before the investigation's findings led to the charges against his family members.