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 Prosecutors allege that Peterson had recently withdrawn a large sum of Iraqi currency and was preparing to flee to China before her arrest.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 Former employees reported she ignored basic hyperbaric chamber safety protocols, used outdated and unmaintained equipment, and failed to have medical professionals on-site.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.
