Parents of 7-year-old who died from heart failure arrested for murder

Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.

The parents of a seven-year-old boy who died after his weight reached more than 18 stone have now been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder.

Casper O'Brien was 4ft 2 tall, and his weight has been reported as 255lbs, or 18st 2lb. This is more than five times the usual weight for a child of his age and height.

The youngster, from Flint Township in Michigan, is reported to have died from heart failure in November.

According to ABC12 News, on November 4 last year, a 911 call was made for a young boy in distress at a Flint Township home.

First responders and police arrived and he was rushed to a hospital, but sadly later passed away.

Casper's mum, Jessica O'Brien is accused of neglect and second-degree murder of her son (Flint Township Police)

According to a medical report, Casper died from dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition which causes heart failure, with morbid obesity said to be a contributing cause.

His parents, Damien, 40, and Jessica O’Brien, 41, have since been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, relating to the young boy's tragic death.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said: "On the face of it, this is cruel and extreme suffering from this child caused by the neglect of the parents.

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

This is being counted as neglect as his family apparently had health insurance.

Casper is survived by a five-year-old sister, and the couple also had a younger child, Phoenix, who had also sadly died.

It has been reported that the children did not go to school and were kept at home.

The prosecutor also claimed that Child Protective Services (CPS) did not know that Casper or his sister existed.

Leyton continued: "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."

Damien O'Brien, Casper's dad, was said to have had a good job and health insurance (Flint Township Police)

"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," he added.

In November, shortly before Casper's death, their landlord tried to enter the O’Briens' home due to concerns about the property.

It is alleged that the parents refused to allow him to gain access, instead leaving the rent on the porch.

After police attended, they described the home as a 'hoarding' situation.

An obituary was shared for Casper in November, which described him as a ‘bright, loving young boy whose joyful spirit touched everyone around him’.

It continued: "He loved watching Super Monsters, especially his favourite character, Frankie Mash.

"He was preceded in death by his little brother, Phoenix."

Casper's funeral was held on 15 November, 2025.

The O'Briens are being held at the Genesee County Jail on no bond and are expected back in court on 2 July.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.