A tragic and deeply disturbing incident has unfolded in Huntington County, Indiana, where a 7-day-old infant met a devastating and premature end under tragic circumstances. The victim, baby Jason A. Weaver, passed away on September 4, 2025, after being viciously attacked by a family dog named Chomp. The legal repercussions of this incident have now resulted in six family members facing serious criminal charges.

The Defendants and Facing Charges

Authorities have identified six individuals held responsible in connection with Jason’s death, including:

Austin Kinsey (the baby’s father): Faces two counts of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog that injured someone.

Violet Weaver (the baby’s mother): Charged with one count of neglect.

Timothy Kinsey (the baby’s grandfather): Charged with one count of neglect.

Tony Kinsey (the baby’s uncle): Charged with one count of neglect.

Michael Wickey (the baby’s step-grandfather): Faces one count of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog.

Rita Wickey (the baby’s grandmother): Faces one count of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog.

All six defendants are currently being held at the Huntington County Jail while awaiting further legal proceedings.

A Gruesome Scene and the Truth Behind Closed Doors

When law enforcement was dispatched to the home in Markle following reports of a dog attack, they were met with a scene that would shock anyone. According to court records, officers noted a “strong odor of animal, trash, and dirt everywhere in the home.” The living space was filled with so much trash and debris that movement was severely restricted. An officer described the sanitary conditions in their report, noting: “There were so much trash and debris, officers could barely walk through the home,” and adding: “I also observed numerous cockroaches and flying bugs on the walls, floor, ceiling, and doorways.” Insects were even discovered inside the baby’s car seat.

A subsequent autopsy exposed a harrowing truth: over 180 abrasions and numerous bruises covered the infant’s head, neck, torso, back, and limbs. The baby also suffered severe internal injuries, including brain hemorrhages, rib fractures, and torn lungs.

Events Leading Up to the Fatal Moment

According to accounts, at the time of the attack, Austin Kinsey was occupied with playing video games and had left the room briefly to speak with his mother and the infant’s mother. During this time, grandfather Timothy Kinsey was in the kitchen when he heard unusual noises. Upon rushing to the scene, he discovered the dog, Chomp, dragging the infant across the floor. He immediately carried the baby to Rita Wickey’s room in a desperate search for help.

Although the family had previously described Chomp as being “gentle with Jason” and showing affection toward the baby, they simultaneously admitted the animal was “jealous” and frequently aggressive toward other animals. The dog had also bitten people in the past. This negligence reached an extreme level when Rita Wickey reportedly suggested to an uncharged individual that they “could carry a gun in the house to shoot Chomp if there were any further issues.”

The Aftermath and Official Measures

Immediately following the tragedy, the Huntington County Health Department determined the home was unfit for human habitation and ordered the family to vacate by September 8, 2025. Regarding the dog, Chomp was taken to an animal shelter where he showed no signs of aggression or rabies; he was later euthanized. A veterinary necropsy revealed no internal or external abnormalities, noting the dog was “in an ideal body condition with no underlying medical conditions.”

The death of baby Jason A. Weaver stands not only as a personal tragedy but also raises piercing questions regarding adult responsibility and the environment in which children are raised, leaving the community in a state of profound shock.