The case involving the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper, who was killed in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at The Oxford Center in Troy, continued as four defendants appeared in court. CEO Tamela Peterson, safety manager Jeffrey Mosteller, management assistant Gary Marken, and operator Aleta Moffitt are facing charges related to the January 31 incident, according to FOX 2 Detroit. Authorities said the business had been operating the equipment beyond its expected lifespan and had not followed required safety practices.
Peterson, Mosteller, and Marken are charged with second-degree murder, while Moffitt is charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records. The hearings will determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial. In earlier testimony, former employee Tiffany Hosey said she raised concerns about missing safety measures, including the lack of “grounding straps,” and told Peterson about it. Hosey said her concerns were not addressed, and she later left her job because of safety issues, as per Audacy.
WXYZ reported that Mayo Clinic safety expert Andrew Melnyczenko testified that The Oxford Center did not follow required safety protocols and noted that Thomas Cooper was not fitted with a grounding strap before the explosion. The clinic had promoted hyperbaric oxygen therapy for children with autism, ADHD, and autoimmune conditions. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stated, “This was an unscrupulous business, operating powerful machines beyond their manufacturer’s intended term of use, on children’s bodies,” as mentioned by Audacy. A GoFundMe campaign for the Cooper family has raised more than $71,500. The hearing is ongoing as the court reviews the charges.
