An Indiana father has been sentenced to prison after accepting a plea agreement in connection with the death of his newborn son, who was attacked by the family dog last year.
Austin Kinsey was charged after his one-week-old son, Jason Anthony Weaver, died on September 4 from blunt-force trauma injuries suffered during an attack by the dog, named Chomp.
Kinsey was charged alongside the baby’s mother, Violet Weaver, and four relatives. The child’s grandparents, Timothy Kinsey, Rita Wickey and Michael Wickey, as well as his uncle, Tony Kinsey, were all arrested in Markle, Indiana.
The father initially faced two neglect counts and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog that injured another person. Under the plea deal, the most serious neglect charge was dismissed in exchange for a new, lesser charge and a 16-year sentence with the Indiana Department of Correction.
Violet Weaver has been charged with Level 6 felony neglect of a dependent. Huntington Circuit Court records show she is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing later this month.
Rita and Michael Wickey each face an infraction for harboring a non-immunized dog. The cases against the grandparents and the uncle remain active.
According to a police report obtained by the Daily Mail, Huntington County authorities were called to the Miller Street home after Chomp attacked the newborn.
The infant was struggling to breathe when an officer arrived at the home, which the report described as having a “strong odor of animal, trash and dirt everywhere.” The officer performed CPR until medics arrived.
Jason Anthony Weaver, a one-week-old baby, died from blunt-force trauma injuries on September 4 last year after being attacked by the family dog.
The infant died after being mauled by Chomp, a five-year-old husky-pit bull mix, after he was left alone in a car seat in the family living room for less than a minute.
The baby was taken to Fort Wayne hospital before he passed away, according to a Huntington County Coroner’s Office press release.
An autopsy from the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center revealed that Jason suffered more than 180 abrasions and several bruises on his neck, torso, back and limbs. He endured major internal injuries like brain hemorrhages, rib fractures and tears in the lungs.
During the investigation, police learned that Austin Kinsey was playing video games in the living room while his son was in a car seat when he left for less than a minute. The father was speaking with other family members when Timothy Kinsey busted through the door with Jason Weaver in his arms and directed them to call the ambulance.
Timothy Kinsey explained he heard Jason Weaver making noises and saw Chomp dragging him across the floor.
The family described Chomp as being gentle with the baby but sometimes a jealous dog who was often aggressive to other animals. According to court documents, Chomp had bitten people before and was involved in a past incident.
The Huntington County Coroner’s Office stated that Chomp was a five-year-old husky pit bull mix.
Rita Wickey, the grandmother, allegedly shared that one of her family members would carry a gun in the house as a precaution to shoot Chomp if another aggressive incident happened again.
The family told police they had considered getting rid of Chomp or putting him down before the infant was born, the police report stated.
Austin Kinsey, 26, and Violet Weaver, 24, Jason Weaver’s parents, and the six other family members were arrested in relation to the baby’s death last September
Tony Kinsey, Jason Weaver’s uncle, and the baby’s grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, were arrested on charges of neglect
Jason Weaver’s grandmother Rita Wickey and her husband Michael Wickey were also arrested on charges of neglect and face an infraction for harboring a non-immunized dog
Another family member reportedly told police that Austin Kinsey was aware they should have gotten rid of the dog but he ‘couldn’t bring himself to get rid of his best friend.’
Jason Weaver’s death was initially ruled an accident before investigators determined the family’s property was uninhabitable during a home visit.
The investigation revealed that the family home contained mountains of trash and bugs inside Jason Weaver’s car seat, according to the police report.
‘There was so much trash and debris, officers could barely walk through the home,’ one officer said in the report.
‘I also observed numerous cockroaches and flying bugs on the walls, floor, ceiling and doorways.’
According to the Huntington County Health Department, the family was ordered to vacate the home last year.
After the tragedy, Chomp was removed from the home and taken to Huntington County Animal Shelter. He showed no signs of aggression or rabies and was later euthanized.
An obituary for Jason Weaver wrote: ‘Though his time on this earth was short, he will be loved forever.’
A family member reportedly told police that the infant’s father was aware that they should have gotten rid of the dog, but ‘he couldn’t bring himself to get rid of his best friend.’ Pictured: Violet Weaver (left) with Austin Kinsey (right)
After Chomp had shown aggression, Rita Wickey (right), reportedly shared that one of her family members would carry a gun in the house as a precaution to shoot Chomp if another aggressive incident happened again
The Daily Mail has reached out to the attorneys representing Violet Weaver, Timothy Kinsey, Tony Kinsey, Michael Wickey, and Rita Wickey for comment. The attorney representing Austin Kinsey declined to comment.
The Daily Mail has also reached out to the Huntington County Coroner’s Office, the Huntington County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Correction for comment and additional details.