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…
