Three people have been charged with second-degree murder after a tragic incident at a medical facility in Michigan resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy. The accident happened on January 31 at the Oxford Center in Troy when a hyperbaric chamber exploded, killing young Thomas Cooper.
According to officials, the chamber contained 100% oxygen, which made it highly flammable. Safety protocols from the National Fire Protection Association and the chamber manufacturer were ignored, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Due to these failures by those responsible for Thomas’ care, his life was lost in a preventable accident.
The owner of the Oxford Center, 58-year-old Tamela Peterson, along with two employees, Jeffrey Mosteller (64) and Gary Marken (65), have been charged with second-degree murder. They also face an alternative charge of involuntary manslaughter. A jury will decide if there is enough evidence to convict them of murder, which could result in a life sentence. The second-degree murder charge requires proof that they knowingly created a serious risk of death or harm.
The operator of the chamber, 60-year-old Aleta Moffitt, has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records. Her attorney defended her, stating that she has always followed policies and prioritized patient well-being. The Oxford Center also criticized the charges, calling the incident a tragic accident and questioning the investigation’s timing.
During the court hearing, the prosecution claimed Peterson obstructed the investigation and posed a flight risk, while her attorney denied these accusations. The judge set her bond at $2 million and ordered her to stay away from the Oxford Center and stop using hyperbaric chambers.
Marken was accused of tampering with the chamber by resetting its cycle count to make it seem newer. Prosecutors said this turned the machine into a “ticking time bomb.” His attorney argued that Marken had not been at the facility for over three years. Marken and Mosteller received a bond of $250,000 each, while Moffitt’s bond was set at $100,000. All defendants remained silent during the hearing, meaning a not guilty plea was entered on their behalf.
The explosion happened in seconds, with a single spark igniting a fire inside the chamber. Thomas’ mother was also injured. The investigation found multiple safety failures: no maintenance check was done that day, Thomas’ pre-treatment safety check was skipped, and a required grounding strap was not used. Additionally, no doctor or licensed technician was present during the treatment, and the chamber had not been inspected yearly as required.
Authorities accused the Oxford Center of running an unsafe business, using outdated equipment on children without proper accreditation to make money. The facility provided hyperbaric therapy for autism, ADHD, and autoimmune diseases. After the incident, the Troy location closed, and the Brighton location stopped using hyperbaric chambers.
Thomas’ family’s attorney stated that this tragedy should never have happened. They are seeking justice and advocating for stronger safety regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future. The case highlights the need for better oversight in medical treatments to protect patients.
