A newborn baby, just seven days old, has been mauled to death by the family dog named Chomp, and now six relatives, including the infant’s parents, are facing criminal charges in what police describe as a horrific case of neglect and filth. The attack occurred on September 7, 2025, in the small town of Markle, Indiana, about 25 miles south of Fort Wayne. Officers responding to a frantic 911 call found the home in such deplorable condition that it was later declared unfit for human habitation. The baby, Jason Kensey, suffered catastrophic injuries, including more than 180 abrasions, brain hemorrhages, rib fractures, and torn lungs, according to autopsy reports. The dog, a pitbull mix named Chomp, was euthanized and a necropsy showed no physical abnormalities, intensifying scrutiny on the family’s actions.
Police say the tragedy unfolded when the baby’s father, Austin Kensey, was playing video games and briefly left the room to speak with his mother and the baby’s mother, Violet Weaver. During that time, Chomp attacked the newborn, who was in a car seat. The grandfather, Timothy Kensey, burst into the room with the baby in his arms, screaming for help, but it was too late. The infant died from his injuries. Investigators described the home as absolutely filthy, with trash, dirty dishes, and clothes piled so high that officers could barely walk through. Cockroaches and flying bugs were found on walls, floors, ceilings, and even in the baby’s car seat. The conditions were so extreme that authorities declared the residence uninhabitable for humans.
The family’s history with the dog raises alarming questions. Relatives told police that Chomp was nice to Jason and would rock his bouncer, but they also admitted the dog could be jealous and had bitten other people and animals. In a stunning revelation, grandmother Rita Wicki reportedly told someone after a previous bite that they could carry a gun into the house and shoot Chomp if necessary, rather than removing the dangerous animal from the home. This cavalier attitude toward the dog’s aggression has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and animal behavior specialists. The decision to keep a known aggressive pitbull mix in a home with a newborn, despite multiple warnings, is at the heart of the criminal charges.
Six family members now face charges. Austin Kensey, the father, is charged with two counts of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog that injured someone. Violet Weaver, the mother, faces one count of neglect. Timothy Kensey, the grandfather, is charged with one count of neglect. Tony Kensey, the uncle, also faces one count of neglect. Michael Wicki, the step-grandfather, is charged with one count of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog. Rita Wicki, the grandmother, faces one count of neglect and one count of harboring a non-immunized dog. The charges reflect the prosecutor’s belief that all adults in the home had a duty to protect the baby from a known danger.
Legal analyst Mark Weaver, a special prosecutor in Ohio who handled a strikingly similar case involving a baby mauled by a pitbull, offered insights into the charges. He noted that the neglect charges, while serious, may seem less severe than the involuntary manslaughter charges he pursued in his own case. However, he emphasized that the prosecutor in Indiana must prove each adult’s responsibility for the child. Any adult living in a home with a newborn likely has a basic obligation to ensure safety, especially when they know about a dog’s aggressive history. The father’s decision to play video games and leave the baby unattended with the dog is being described as irresponsible and juvenile behavior that directly led to the tragedy.
The investigation took nine months before charges were filed, a delay that Weaver attributes to the need for thorough evidence gathering, including toxicology reports and witness interviews. The speedy trial clock also factors into prosecutorial strategy, as rushing charges could jeopardize the case. The family’s decision to name the dog Chomp has also drawn scrutiny, with critics arguing it reflects a subculture that glorifies aggressive dogs. The name, combined with the family’s failure to remove the dog after previous bites, paints a damning picture of negligence. The dog’s necropsy showed no physical abnormalities, ruling out medical excuses for the attack.
The baby’s injuries were devastating. The autopsy revealed extensive trauma, including major internal injuries that suggest the dog may have attacked the infant multiple times. The condition of the home, with bugs in the car seat and filth throughout, adds another layer of horror. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to infections and environmental hazards, and the family’s failure to provide a clean, safe space is a key element of the neglect charges. The prosecutor is expected to argue that the adults’ collective inaction created a death trap for the helpless infant.
Community members in Markle are reeling from the case, expressing shock and anger. The small town, typically quiet, has been thrust into the national spotlight as details of the filthy home and the dog’s history emerge. Neighbors described the family as reclusive, but few knew the extent of the squalor inside. The case has sparked broader conversations about pet ownership, parental responsibility, and the legal obligations of extended family members living under the same roof. Animal welfare advocates are also weighing in, urging pet owners to prioritize human safety over emotional attachments to dangerous animals.
The legal proceedings are expected to be complex, with multiple defendants and varying levels of culpability. Weaver predicts that some family members may be offered immunity in exchange for testimony against the parents, a common strategy in multi-defendant cases. The parents, Austin Kensey and Violet Weaver, face the most serious scrutiny, as they had the primary duty to protect their child. The grandparents and uncle, who also lived in the home, are accused of failing to intervene despite knowing the dog’s history. The case highlights the tragic consequences of neglecting basic safety measures in a household with a newborn and a dangerous animal.
As the family awaits their court dates, the memory of baby Jason serves as a grim reminder of the stakes. His short life, marked by dependence and vulnerability, ended in a preventable tragedy that has left a community searching for answers. The charges, while a step toward accountability, cannot undo the loss. The case is a stark warning to parents and caregivers about the dangers of complacency, especially when children and animals share a home. The investigation continues, and authorities have not ruled out additional charges as more evidence comes to light. The family’s fate now rests in the hands of the justice system, as the nation watches a heartbreaking story unfold.
