Another Tragic Story Ripped from the Headlines! The Invisible Children

Every day in the news we hear more stories about child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. This story about Casper O’Brien could have been completely preventable and that is so infuriating!!! How is it that Casper and his sister flew under the radar. No Doctors - No School - No Relatives??? Also, they were renting a house for a very long time, and it was a hoarder situation. Let us expand this story with a different view. The landlord had to know there were children on his rental property and if the home was falling apart and a hoarder situation why didn’t they step up in any way?

Also, how is it that these children never went to a doctors? The article states that there was only one doctors visit, does this make sense?

Invisible Children

There are countless children living this exact nightmare right now. They are invisible to the world as their parents and guardians keep them locked away as they are being abused and neglected. When I think about this, I literally want to scream from the roof tops, because - “SOMEBODY always knows” this is the truth. Somebody in the lives of a dysfunctional family know the truth and refuse to step forward or step in. There are neighbors, and in this case a landlord whom I am sure was well aware that these children were living a nightmare, but chose to remain silent.

It is that silence that is killing our children! Nobody wants to step up, or step in and because of this mindset many more children will suffer at the hand of their abusers and some will continue to die. This is a devastating thought but the reality of what is happening in our world right now.

I will continue to share stories like this one to bring awareness and education to others. WE as a community need to break the silence and step in when a situation is going sour. Do not wait until it is too late.

This child, “Casper” suffered a long slow painful death as his obesity and neglect killed him. NO CHILD should ever have to experience such pain or live in complete filth!

WE have to do better!!

See something - Say something. Be bold and brave enough to step in, because our kids need us to be their eyes and ears. I will continue to repeat myself until change happens.

BE a good human and use your voice.

Lisa Zarcone

Author - Child & Mental Health Advocate - Public Speaker - Blogger - Social Media Influencer

CASA ADVOCATE - Court appointed special advocate in the judicial system for our Youth

How was it possible that 'nobody knew' about boy, 7, who died weighing 255 lbs.? Prosecutor points to troubling clues

7-year-old Casper O’Brien and his younger sister “didn’t even exist in the eyes of the government” before the boy’s death

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says Casper O’Brien and his sister were unknown to CPS

• Leyton says the children “didn’t even exist in the eyes of the government”

• Jessica and Damien O’Brien are charged with murder, torture and child abuse after the seven-year-old died at 255 lbs.

Before 7-year-old Casper O’Brien died weighing 255 lbs., he and his 5-year-old sister had allegedly never attended school and had no previous contact with child welfare officials, according to the Michigan prosecutor handling the case.