A Michigan couple, Damien and Jessica O'Brien, have been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse following the death of their 7-year-old son, Casper O'Brien, who weighed more than 17 stone (113kg) at the time of his death in November 2025. The Genesee County prosecutor's office filed a complaint alleging that the parents inflicted severe physical harm on their reportedly immobile son.
Emergency Response and Charges
Emergency services were called to the family's residence in Flint Township, Michigan, on November 4, 2025, after a 911 call reported a child not breathing. Casper was rushed to the hospital but tragically died. The couple now faces second-degree murder charges and multiple counts of child abuse, which could result in life imprisonment if convicted.
According to deputy medical examiner John A. Bechinski, the boy's diet consisted almost exclusively of potato chips and fries due to texture issues, as noted in the forensic autopsy report obtained by MLive. At the time of his death, Casper stood 4 feet 2.5 inches tall and weighed 255 pounds (113kg). Police reported that he lived in an unsafe environment and shared a makeshift bed with four family members.
Deplorable Living Conditions
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton described the situation at the house as deplorable, involving hoarding and extremely difficult living conditions. Authorities also alleged that the O'Briens failed to take Casper to a doctor, despite Damien O'Brien having health insurance for the entire family through his stable job.
The forensic autopsy report revealed that Casper was last examined by his primary care physician in February 2024, when he was referred to a pediatric endocrinologist. However, his parents never brought him to that appointment. Court records indicate the couple also faces a charge of second-degree child abuse involving a five-year-old girl, as reported by NBC News.
