An American couple have been charged with murder after their 7-year-old son died weighing more than 17 stone (113kg). Damien and Jessica O’Brien allegedly caused serious physical harm to their son, who was reportedly immobile, according to a complaint filed by the Genesee county prosecutor’s office.
Emergency sources were alerted to Casper’s disctress after receiving a 911 call that a young boy was not breathing at a home in Flint township, Michigan, on November 4, 2025. He tragically died after being taken to hospital. The couple were later charged with second degree murder and multiple child abuse charges.
The O’Briens could face life in prison if convicted.
“It was reported that the decedent’s diet was potato chips and fries because of texture issues,” deputy medical examiner John A Bechinski wrote in a forensic autopsy report, according to Michigan news outlet MLive.
At the time of his death, the seven-year-old was said to have weighed 255lbs while being just 4ft 2.5in tall and living in an unsafe environment. Police said they found the boy in a makeshift bed was shared by four family members.
David Leyton, a Genesee county prosecutor, said: “The situation at the house was just deplorable conditions really difficult situation involving hoarding.”
Authorities also alleged the Michigan also couple failed to take Casper to a doctor, despite Mr O’Brien having health insurance for the entire family through his stable job.
A forensic autopsy report stated that Casper was last examined by his primary care physician in February 2024, when he was referred to a pediatric endocrinologist. But it stated that Casper’s parents never brought him to that appointment.
Court records show the couple also face a charge of second-degree child abuse involving a five-year-old girl, reports NBC News.
