An Indiana man, Austin Kinsey, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after his one-week-old son was fatally attacked by the family dog at their home in Markle, Indiana, United States.
Kinsey was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to neglect in connection with the death of his son, Jason Anthony Weaver, who died on September 4, 2025.
According to a report by the New York Post, the baby suffered more than 180 bite wounds and severe internal injuries, including brain haemorrhages, fractured ribs and lung injuries.
Police said Kinsey told investigators that he had been playing video games in the same room as the baby before briefly leaving to speak with other family members.
The baby’s grandfather, Timothy Kinsey, later heard noises and found the family’s five-year-old husky-pit bull mix, named Chomp, dragging the infant around the room.
Responding officers attempted to resuscitate the baby, but he could not be revived.
Investigators also found poor living conditions in the house, with court documents describing trash, dirty dishes, dirty clothes and insects. Bugs were also reportedly found on the baby’s car seat.
Although the family had described the dog as gentle with the baby, court records showed that it had previously displayed aggression towards other animals and had bitten people. The dog was later euthanised.
Kinsey initially faced two counts of neglect and a charge relating to keeping a non-immunised dog that caused an injury. The highest-level neglect charge was later dropped as part of a plea agreement, after which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The baby’s mother, Violet Weaver, is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing later this month, while cases involving several other family members remain pending. Authorities also ordered the family to leave the property after it was declared unfit for habitation.