Lastest HBOT News

Tamela Peterson, CEO of the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, faces second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges after the fatal hyperbaric chamber explosion that killed 5-year-old Thomas Cooper on January 31. Along with Peterson, operations director Gary Marken, safety director Jeffrey Mosteller, and chamber operator Aleta Harward Moffitt were also charged. However, authorities say Peterson went to great lengths to evade law enforcement, including attempting to flee the country, deleting evidence, and harassing witnesses. Attorney General Dana Nessel stated that the center prioritized profit over safety, leading to this preventable tragedy.

According to Detective Danielle Trigger’s testimony, Peterson physically ran from detectives when they attempted to seize her phone and later instructed her son to wipe her laptop. Police still uncovered messages in which she showed a disturbing lack of remorse, including one where she mocked the child’s suffering: “If my leg was on fire, I would at least try to hit it and put it out. He just laid there and did nothing,” as reported by the Detroit Free Press. Peterson also joked about marketing hyperbaric treatments for erectile dysfunction, stating, “Whatever gets bodies in those chambers, lol.” Prosecutors allege that Peterson had recently withdrawn a large sum of Iraqi currency and was preparing to flee to China before her arrest.

Authorities say Peterson not only obstructed the investigation but also created a dangerous environment that led to the explosion. Former employees reported she ignored basic hyperbaric chamber safety protocols, used outdated and unmaintained equipment, and failed to have medical professionals on-site. Surveillance footage confirmed Thomas was not properly grounded, and investigators discovered that Peterson and Marken had tampered with the chamber’s life cycle count to hide overuse. Hyperbaric chambers contain pure oxygen, making them highly combustible, and even a single spark can cause an explosion. Attorney General Nessel stated, “This tragedy could have been prevented if proper safety protocols were followed.”

All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Peterson’s attorney, Gerald Gleeson II, denied claims she planned to flee, while Marken’s attorney, Raymond Cassar, called the charges “shocking.” Moffitt’s attorney, Ellen Michaels, argued that her client simply followed company policies. Despite the ongoing investigation, the Oxford Center’s Brighton location continues to administer hyperbaric treatments. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for March 26, with all defendants currently held in the Oakland County Jail on high bonds.

Four people have been charged in connection with the tragic death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper, who was killed when a hyperbaric chamber exploded at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, on January 31, 2025. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges, which include second-degree murder for the facility’s owner, Tamela Peterson, 58, and employees Jeff Mosteller, 64, and Gary Marken, 65. Aleta Moffitt, 60, the chamber operator at the time, faces involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records. According to CBS News Detroit, Peterson’s bond was set at $2 million, while Marken and Mosteller received $250,000 bonds, and Moffitt’s was set at $100,000.

Nessel accused the facility of prioritizing profit over safety, stating, “The Oxford Center operated these machines and offered unfounded treatments to patients when medical science contradicted these uses of their services” (New York Times). Investigators revealed multiple safety violations, including skipped maintenance checks, lack of a grounding strap, absence of a licensed technician, and failure to follow manufacturer guidelines. Assistant Attorney General Chris Kessel alleged in court that Peterson and her team knowingly turned the chamber into a “ticking time bomb” by tampering with its records to hide excessive use (Detroit Free Press).

The Oxford Center, which has two Michigan locations, has long advertised hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for ADHD and autism, citing some hyperbaric studies, though these treatments are not FDA-approved. Authorities emphasized that HBOT is only cleared for 13 conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression sickness. In a statement to the Free Press, Peterson’s attorney Thomas Cranmer called the charges an “unfortunate accident” and denied wrongdoing, while the Oxford Center expressed “disappointment” over the arrests, claiming the investigation is incomplete.

Attorney James Harrington, representing the Cooper family, announced plans for a lawsuit, stating, “This tragedy highlights the need for stronger oversight, regulation, and design safety features in hyperbaric oxygen therapy to prevent similar incidents in the future” (CBS News Detroit). The facility’s hyperbaric chambers have been shut down indefinitely, and the defendants are prohibited from working in HBOT-related positions. Nessel vowed to hold those responsible accountable, concluding, “This should never have happened”.

The Critical Importance of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safety

Rules and regulations are not arbitrary; they exist to protect consumers, patients, and the public. Sidestepping these guidelines can result in catastrophic events, as tragically demonstrated in Michigan. Clinics and manufacturers must be held accountable. Read more…