Austin Kinsey, the infant’s father, received a 16 year prison sentence in Huntington Circuit Court in Indiana after he pleaded guilty in the death of his one week old son. The boy, Jason Anthony Weaver, died on 4 September 2025 after the family dog attacked him at a home in Markle.
Meanwhile, court records released this week showed Kinsey pleaded guilty in August. A plea deal then dropped a Level 1 felony. He instead pleaded to neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury, a Level 3 felony, and neglect of a dependent that placed the child in a dangerous situation, a Level 6 felony, plus a misdemeanor for harbouring a non immunised dog that caused injury. The terms ran concurrently. The Level 3 count drove the 16 year term.
According to a police report obtained by WPTA, Kinsey told investigators he had been playing video games in the same room as the newborn and left only briefly to speak with relatives. Timothy Kinsey, the baby’s grandfather, then heard the infant making noises and found the dog dragging the child around the room.
Jason Anthony Weaver was seven days old. Officers later tried CPR. Paramedics then took him to a hospital in Fort Wayne, where he died. An autopsy documented at least 180 bite wounds plus brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears in his lungs.
Chomp, a five year old husky and pit bull mix, carried out the attack. Relatives later told investigators the dog had been gentle with the baby but was jealous, often aggressive toward other animals, and had bitten people before. One family member also told police a gun was kept in the house in case the dog became aggressive. Authorities later euthanised Chomp.
Investigators also described the Markle home as filled with trash and bugs, with a strong odour of animals, trash and dirt.
The sentencing order cited Kinsey’s criminal history, earlier violations of court orders, and the baby’s age as aggravating factors. Violet Weaver, the child’s mother, faced a Level 6 felony neglect charge and was due for a change of plea hearing later this month.
Cases also remained open for Tony Kinsey, an uncle, Timothy Kinsey, the grandfather, and Rita Wickey and Michael Wickey, the other grandparents.
