An Indiana father has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his one week old son was fatally attacked by the family's dog at their home in the United States.

Jason Anthony Weaver was seven days old when he 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.

An autopsy documented more than 180 abrasions and extensive injuries across the baby's body, along with serious internal injuries including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and tears to his lungs.

Jason's father, Austin Kinsey, was sentenced on Monday, September 14, following a plea agreement in the case.

FATHER SAID HE BRIEFLY LEFT THE ROOM

According to a police report obtained by local television station WPTA, Kinsey told investigators he had been playing video games in the same room as his newborn son before briefly leaving to speak with other family members.

During that period, Jason's grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, reportedly heard noises coming from the room.

He entered and discovered Chomp dragging the infant.

Emergency services were called and a police officer attempted CPR before paramedics arrived, but Jason could not be saved.

AUTHORITIES DOCUMENTED POOR CONDITIONS AT HOME

Investigators also raised serious concerns about conditions inside the family's residence.

Court records described trash, dirty dishes and clothes throughout the property, along with insects.

An officer responding to the home reported that the amount of trash and debris made it difficult to move through parts of the house.

Bugs were also reportedly discovered on Jason's car seat.

Authorities subsequently determined that the property was unfit for habitation and ordered the family to leave.

DOG HAD PREVIOUSLY SHOWN AGGRESSION

Family members reportedly described Chomp as gentle around the newborn, but court documents indicated the animal had previously displayed aggressive behaviour.

The dog was reported to have shown aggression towards other animals and had previously bitten people.

Chomp was later euthanised following the fatal attack.

FATHER SENTENCED AFTER PLEA AGREEMENT

Kinsey initially faced two neglect charges and another charge connected to keeping a non immunised dog that caused injury.

Under a plea agreement, the most serious neglect charge was dismissed.

Kinsey was subsequently sentenced to 16 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

The sentence is the first to be handed down among several cases arising from Jason's death.

OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS STILL FACE CASES

Jason's mother, Violet Weaver, also faces a neglect charge and is scheduled for a change of plea hearing later in September.

Cases involving other family members, including Timothy Kinsey, Rita Wickey, Michael Wickey and Tony Kinsey, also remain pending.

Those defendants should be presumed innocent of the pending allegations unless and until their cases are resolved in court.

The case has drawn renewed attention following Kinsey's sentencing, more than a year after Jason's death.