Michigan parents, Damien O’Brien and Jessica O’Brien, face second-degree murder, torture, and multiple child abuse charges after their 7-year-old son, Casper O’Brien, died due to alleged neglect. Casper weighed 255 pounds at the time of his death.
Investigation Details
The case began on November 4, 2025, when paramedics responded to a 911 call at the family’s home in Flint Township, where they found Casper having difficulty breathing. He died later that night at a hospital. An autopsy revealed that Casper died from dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, with morbid obesity listed as a contributing factor.
Prosecutors accused the O’Briens of causing serious physical harm to Casper, who was immobile at the time of his death, and of failing to provide a safe environment and medical care for him. The parents were employed and had health insurance for the family but did not seek medical care for their children.
A 5-year-old girl in the home was also found to be morbidly obese and was removed by Children’s Protective Services. The O’Briens are expected to appear in court for a probable cause conference and could face life in prison if convicted.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
