Parents charged in death of morbidly obese son to undergo competency evaluation

Casper O'Brien, 7, weighed 255 pounds at the time of his death, police said.

The Michigan parents charged with murder and torture following the death of their morbidly obese 7-year-old son will be evaluated for their competency to stand trial.

Jessica and Damien O'Brien were arrested and charged following a monthslong investigation. Their son, Casper O'Brien, weighed 255 pounds at the time of his death, which was found to be caused by dilated cardiomyopathy with contributing conditions of morbid obesity, according to a criminal complaint.

The parents are being held on no bond. Neither appeared in court for a probable cause hearing in Genesee County on Thursday, during which Chief Judge Mark McCabe ordered that they undergo competency and criminal responsibility evaluations.

The probable cause hearing was ultimately postponed after the defense attorneys requested more time to review the discovery in the case. The father's attorney, Elias Fanous, noted that there are more than 400 pages of medical records. The next court date has been scheduled for Sept. 9.

During Thursday's court proceedings, McCabe also denied motions by the parents' attorneys seeking a reasonable bond. Both defense attorneys had argued that the parents are not a danger to the community and continue to grieve the loss of their son.

"This is a tragic case. It shouldn't be made more tragic by him having to grieve the loss of his son while in jail," Fanous said.

Fanous also believed his client was overly charged, telling the court, "We're still reviewing discovery here, judge, but I don't see murder, let alone torture."

The parents were charged with second-degree murder and torture, which both carry a potential life sentence, and multiple counts of child abuse.

The complaint alleges they caused their son, who was immobile, "cruel or extreme physical or mental pain and suffering" and acted in "wanton and willful disregard," resulting in his death.

They are further accused of failing to take him to the doctor, despite having health care, and failing to provide him with proper nutrition or a safe and clean home.

A police officer responded to the family's home in Flint Township the morning of Nov. 4, 2025, after Jessica O'Brien called 911 to report that her son wasn't breathing, according to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint. The officer "observed extreme hoarding and deplorable living conditions," including no working toilet, filth and soiled diapers in their living space, according to the affidavit.

Casper was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"This was a sad and horrific case involving the wanton and willful neglect by two parents for the care, welfare and medical needs of their son," Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, whose office is prosecuting the case, said in a statement. "Their neglect led to their child suffering severe bed sores, various rashes and other physical health disorders including extreme morbid obesity that ultimately led to his early death."

Casper had only been taken to a doctor once and was not in school, according to Leyton.

The parents are also accused of abusing their 5-year-old daughter, who is also morbidly overweight, according to the complaint. She has been placed in foster care, according to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office.

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