Parents face murder, torture, abuse charges after 7-year-old son with "morbid obesity" died

A 7-year-old boy’s death in Flint Township has led to second-degree murder and child abuse charges against his parents after authorities say they found him in distress inside a home with “deplorable conditions.” Damien and Jessica O’Brien are jailed following a monthslong investigation, according to the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor David Leyton called the case “very sad.” Police learned of the boy’s death after Jessica O’Brien called 911 on Nov. 4 and told dispatch her 7-year-old son, Casper O’Brien, was not breathing. According to the complaint, officers went to the family’s home on Dania Street and found the conditions inside were “horrible.” “The situation at the house was just deplorable conditions really difficult situation involving hoarding,” Leyton said. Leyton said officers also encountered a child in medical distress. “The child had morbid obesity, was seven years old, 255 pounds. Ultimately he passed away due, in part, to the obesity,” Leyton said. Casper O’Brien’s obituary posted on the Sharp Funeral Home website describes him as “a bright, loving young boy whose joyful spirit touched everyone around him.” Leyton said prosecutors believe the case involves “abuse,” “neglect” and “torture.” “We felt this is a case of abuse case of neglect in a case a case of torture and we ended up bringing very difficult and harsh charges,” Leyton said. The charges against Damien and Jessica O’Brien include second-degree murder, torture, two counts of second-degree child abuse, and child abuse in the presence of another child. That other child is a 5-year-old girl. Leyton said when police arrived that Tuesday morning, they found the girl overweight, dirty and with knotted hair. “When the police got to the scene she was running around naked and the police officer told the mother to put some clothes on her,” Leyton said. The 5-year-old is now in the care of Child Protective Services. Leyton said it is believed the children did not attend school and may not have had contact with anyone outside the home. “We don't believe they went to the doctor other than maybe one time And really I don't think the school district. I don't think CPS I don't think anybody in the government knew these children existed,” Leyton said. Leyton said Casper, who weighed 255 pounds at age 7, was believed to be bedridden. He also questioned why the children were not taken for medical care. “What's baffling to me is that the dad had a good job. He had health insurance good health insurance Why they didn't take them to the doctor is beyond me,” Leyton said. The online obituary indicates Casper was preceded in death by a brother. Leyton said authorities believe that child was stillborn at the same time the 5-year-old sister was born and that they do not believe there were suspicious circumstances. “We believe that child was stillborn at the same time as the five-year-old sister was born So we don't believe there's suspicious circumstances there,” Leyton said. The couple is expected back in court July 2. “This case is important because a child's life was taken And we're gonna do our job in the courtroom,” Leyton said. An attorney representing Jessica and Damien O’Brien said they had no comment on the charges. https://wwmt.com/news/state/flint-tow... _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WWMT on Facebook:   / wwmtnews   WWMT on Twitter:   / wwmtnews   Subscribe to WWMT on YouTube:    / @wwmtnews   WWMT Daily News Digest:    • WWMT-TV Daily Digest   For more information, visit https://www.wwmt.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 800.875.3333 WWMT is a MI based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WWMT #NEWSCHANNEL3 #Kalamazoo #Michigan