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Boy, 7, who weighed 18 stone dies as cops find 'obese' sister, 5, naked in horror house

Casper O'Brien, 7, died from heart failure after weighing 18 stone - his parents Damien and Jessica O'Brien have been charged with second-degree murder, child abuse, and torture in connection with his death

[Casper O'Brein]

Casper OBrien sadly died(Image: Sharp Funeral Homes)

A couple have been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, child abuse, and torture after the death of their seven-year-old son. Casper, who weighed 255lb, died of heart failure on 4 November 2025.

Police say they responded to a dilapidated property in Michigan owned by Damien O'Brien, 40, and his wife Jessica O'Brien, 41, following a 911 call about the youngster's worsening condition. Casper was rushed to hospital where he passed away from "dilated cardiomyopathy with morbid obesity as a contributing factor.

"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. "That is obesity. This child did not have a pediatrician, was only taken to the doctor, I believe ... once."

[An individual with a beard and mustache, dressed in an orange prison-issue shirt, stares directly into the camera with a somber expression.]

Damien OBrien(Image: Flint Township)

The pair have another daughter aged five who Leyton said was also "overweight and dirty" and found "running around naked." Police added that neither child had attended school and rarely saw a doctor, while their home was described as a hoarding situation, reports the Mirror.

Yet Leyton reveals that the couple did contact their dog's vet for treatment on the very morning that 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," says Leyton.

"I can't think of what else this is, other than extraordinary, terrible neglect. And to me, that is willful and wanton misconduct, which is second-degree murder," added the prosecutor.

[An individual is captured in a close-up portrait, wearing a yellow garment typically associated with institutional attire. The subject has short hair, wears rectangular glasses with a dark frame, and is looking directly into the camera with a neutral expression. The background is plain and monochromatic, emphasizing the subject's attire and facial features.]

Jessica OBrien(Image: Flint Township)

At the time of his death, Casper measured 4 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 255 pounds - considerably surpassing what the CDC considers a healthy weight for a 7 year old boy of the same height, which is typically between 50 and 73 pounds.

Damien O'Brien is documented as maintaining steady employment with health insurance.

A tribute page detailing the boy's funeral for November 6 2025 described him as a loving and cheerful child. "Casper was a bright, loving young boy whose joyful spirit touched everyone around him. He loved watching Super Monsters, especially his favorite character, Frankie Mash," the site said.

The duo are presently being detained without bail at Genesee County Jail, with their next court hearing set for July 2.

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