In Troy, Michigan, four individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who perished in a pressurized oxygen chamber explosion at a medical facility located in a Detroit suburb. The incident, which occurred at the Oxford Center, resulted in the immediate death of Thomas Cooper from Royal Oak and left his mother with burn injuries as she attempted to rescue him.
According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the fire ignited swiftly, engulfing the chamber and claiming Thomas’s life within moments. She noted the numerous safety mechanisms developed over time as such fires are often deadly. The founder and CEO of the center, Tamela Peterson, aged 58, is facing charges of second-degree murder. Facility manager Gary Marken, aged 65, and safety manager Gary Mosteller, aged 64, are also charged with second-degree murder as well as involuntary manslaughter. Additionally, Aleta Moffitt, aged 60, who was operating the chamber when it exploded, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.
All four individuals were arrested on Monday, and at their initial court appearance on Tuesday, they pleaded not guilty. During the proceedings, Assistant Attorney General Chris Kessel expressed concerns about Peterson’s potential flight risk due to her access to substantial financial resources. Elizabeth Chiappelli, the Troy District Court Magistrate, set Peterson’s bond at $2 million, while Marken and Mosteller received bonds of $250,000 each, and Moffitt’s bond was set at $100,000.
The family of the young victim was reportedly utilizing the hyperbaric treatments for conditions like sleep apnea, which are not approved for this type of therapy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Attorney General highlighted the lack of medical endorsement for such treatments, stating that insurance policies do not cover the use of hyperbaric chambers for these ailments, labeling the center as a profit-driven business.
During the arraignment, Mosteller requested a court-appointed attorney. Meanwhile, both Raymond Cassar, Marken’s attorney, and Ellen Michaels, Moffitt’s attorney, were surprised by the stringent bail conditions, citing the charges as severe yet unexpected. Cassar emphasized the presumption of innocence, remarking that the incident was an unforeseen tragedy, rather than an intentional crime. Similarly, Michaels urged patience and fairness, emphasizing the deep impact on those involved, including her client who has an extensive healthcare background.
The Oxford Center maintained that safety is paramount in their operations, expressing bafflement over the incident as they collaborated with ongoing investigations. Hyperbaric therapy, which involves high levels of oxygen, is recognized by the FDA for certain conditions but not for the disorders reportedly treated at this facility. Nessel criticized the facility’s noncompliance with essential safety protocols, stating a maintenance inspection was neglected, no medical professional was present, and the procedure was conducted by an unqualified individual.
The investigations revealed alarming findings, suggesting that the vital safety protocols were disregarded, and the equipment was used beyond its intended lifespan. Nessel stressed that adherence to safety protocols might have prevented the boy’s death. The Oxford Center’s lack of accreditation by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society further highlighted the deficiencies in its operations.
