A tranquil family home in Seymour, Indiana, became the scene of a parent's worst nightmare last week when the family dog launched a vicious attack on their five-day-old newborn son. The infant remains in critical condition, fighting for his life.
The parents, 29-year-old Jason Robert Weaver and 22-year-old Savannah Jade Weaver, have since been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, a level 3 felony that underscores the severity of the incident.
A Sequence of Preventable Tragedies
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, the events unfolded on the afternoon of September 9th. The infant was lying on a bed, swaddled in a blanket, when the family's American Bully-type dog, named Tonka, jumped onto the bed and savagely mauled the defenceless child.
The attack was not an isolated incident. Court documents reveal a chilling history, stating the same dog had previously bitten the couple's two-year-old daughter just months earlier, in May. Despite this glaring red flag and a clear warning of the animal's potential danger, the dog was not secured away from the vulnerable newborn.
Parents' Account and Aftermath
Savannah Weaver told police she had briefly left the room to use the bathroom, leaving the baby unattended with the dog. She reported hearing the baby cry out and returned to find the dog on the bed, with the child suffering from severe injuries to his head and face.
The baby was immediately airlifted to the critical care unit at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Medical professionals described the injuries as life-threatening, requiring immediate surgery. The child's current prognosis remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the dog, Tonka, has been voluntarily surrendered to the local animal control and has since been euthanised.
A Community Left Reeling
The case has sent shockwaves through the Seymour community, raising urgent questions about parental responsibility and pet ownership. It serves as a devastating reminder of the critical need to never leave infants and young children unsupervised with animals, regardless of the pet's perceived temperament.
As the investigation continues, the Weaver parents await their next court hearing, while their newborn son continues his fight for survival.
