The owner and three staff members of the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, have been arrested in connection to the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper, who was killed when a hyperbaric oxygen chamber exploded on January 31. Founder and CEO Tammi Peterson faces charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter, along with two other individuals, while a fourth person has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records. Investigators revealed that the facility was understaffed and lacked proper oversight, raising serious concerns about the safety of its hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatments. Police said they would not release further details until after the arraignment, which is expected to take place Tuesday, March 11.
Cooper was receiving HBOT for ADHD and sleep apnea—conditions not approved by the FDA for this treatment—when the chamber burst into flames. His mother, Annie Cooper, who was in the room, suffered severe burns as she tried to save him. Investigators noted that the chamber was filled with pure oxygen in a highly pressurized environment, significantly increasing the risk of fire. The lack of required technicians on-site at the time of the explosion further compounded safety failures.
Court documents confirm that Peterson and two others face second-degree murder charges, while a fourth staff member was charged with falsifying medical records. The Oxford Center, which has been accused of misleading patients about the efficacy of HBOT for unapproved conditions, issued a statement expressing disappointment over the charges but continued to insist that the full cause of the explosion remains unknown. The facility had also faced scrutiny in the past for hiring unqualified personnel.
Thomas’ family is devastated and plans to file a civil lawsuit in addition to the criminal case, according to their attorney, James Harrington. The incident has drawn attention to the lack of regulatory oversight for alternative HBOT facilities, which continue to promote treatments beyond FDA-approved conditions. Experts emphasize the need for strict safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
(Sources: FOX 2, Detroit Free Press, NBC News)
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…
