A Michigan couple has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of their 7-year-old son, who weighed 255 pounds and died of heart failure. Damien O’Brien, 40, and Jessica O’Brien, 41, of Flint Township, were also charged with torture and child abuse after their son, Casper O’Brien, was found in distress on November 4, 2025.
Paramedics and police were unable to enter the home due to extreme clutter, and a 5-year-old girl was found running naked inside. Prosecutors allege the boy was bedridden, nonverbal, and severely neglected. An autopsy revealed he died from a heart muscle disease, with morbid obesity as a contributing factor.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton described the scene as one of the worst he had seen in his career. The parents, who were employed and had health insurance, reportedly failed to seek medical care for their children, despite calling a veterinarian for their sick dog the same day Casper suffered cardiac arrest. The boy’s younger sister was placed in foster care.
Leyton stated that no government agency, including schools or Child Protective Services, was aware the children existed. The landlord reportedly expressed concerns about the home’s disrepair, but no action was taken before the boy’s death.