A Michigan couple has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of their 7-year-old son, Casper O'Brien, who died in November 2025 weighing 255 pounds. Genesee County prosecutors accused Damien O'Brien, 40, and Jessica O'Brien, 41, of "extraordinary, terrible neglect" and also face child abuse and torture charges.
Police responded to a 911 call at the family's home in Flint Township on November 4, 2025, reporting a child in distress. Casper was transported to a local hospital where he died. The medical report indicated his death was caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition, with morbid obesity as a contributing factor. At 4 feet, 2 inches tall, his weight far exceeded the CDC's healthy range for a child his height, which is between 50 and 73 pounds.
Prosecutors stated that Casper had never attended school and had seen a doctor only once. "On the face of it, this is cruel and extreme suffering from this child caused by the neglect of the parents," Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton told WJRT. Leyton added that the child's parents, who have a 5-year-old daughter and reportedly have stable employment and health insurance, called their veterinarian to treat their dog on the morning Casper died.
"None of these kids even existed in the eyes of the government. CPS had never been out there, nobody knew about these kids, they had not been to school," Leyton said. He described the home as a hoarding situation. The O'Briens were charged this week and are being held without bond in the Genesee County Jail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for July 2.