Two parents in the United States have been charged with the murder of their 7-year-old son, who died from heart failure linked to severe, life-threatening obesity. The child—identified as Casper O’Brien—weighed 115 kilograms (253 pounds) and stood just 1.27 meters tall at the time of his death.
Charges Include Neglect and Abuse
Damien O’Brien, 40, and his 41-year-old wife, Jessica O’Brien, face multiple criminal charges, including murder, child abuse, and torture. Authorities say Casper had never attended school and had seen a doctor only once in his entire life.
“At first glance, this is a case of extreme and severe suffering endured by this child due to his parents’ gross neglect,” said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton in an interview with WJRT.
Medical Findings and Missed Care
Casper was hospitalized in Michigan in November 2025. Doctors diagnosed him with dilated cardiomyopathy—a condition that weakens the heart muscle and leads to heart failure—with pathological obesity cited as a major contributing factor.
According to the New York Post, Casper had no pediatrician, and his parents reportedly sought medical care for him only once. Despite having health insurance—and the father being employed—the family failed to provide routine or emergency medical attention. On the morning Casper died, authorities say the couple contacted a veterinarian for care related to their dog.
No State Oversight or Intervention
The couple also has a 5-year-old daughter. Neither child was registered with state services, neither had enrolled in school, and there had been no involvement from Child Protective Services (CPS), according to Prosecutor Leyton.
The O’Briens were formally arraigned this week and remain in custody pending trial.