On January 31, 2025, 5-year-old Thomas Cooper was killed while he was undergoing medical treatment when the hyperbaric chamber he was placed in caught fire from the inside and exploded.
On March 11, 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against the owner and three employees at The Oxford Center in connection with Thomas’ death. Owner Tamela Peterson, 58, of Brighton, Safety Manager Jeffrey Mosteller, 64, of Clinton Township, and Gary Marken, 65, of Spring Arbor, the primary management assistant at the facility, each face one count of Second-Degree Murder, a potential life offense, or alternatively, one count of Involuntary Manslaughter, a 15-year felony.
Aleta Moffitt, 60, of Rochester Hills, the operator of the hyperbaric chamber, is charged with one count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one count of Medical Records – Intentionally Placing False Information on Chart, a four-year felony.
The Oxford Center, located in Troy, Michigan provides therapy for children with various health conditions, including autism, ADHD, and autoimmune diseases, through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Sechrist, the manufacturer of the hyperbaric chamber, publish strict safety protocols that must be followed before treatment. However, it is alleged that these standards were deliberately discarded at the time of Thomas’ death.
“This tragedy could have been prevented if proper safety protocols were followed,” Nessel said. “Instead, deliberate negligence and a blatant disregard for safety cost a child his life. I appreciate the investigatory efforts of the Troy Police Department. My office remains committed to seeking justice for Thomas and holding those responsible accountable.”
The Oxford Center states on its website: “At The Oxford Center, we are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge through rigorous research. Our research department collects and analyzes data from nearly every patient to better understand the effectiveness of our treatments. With a focus on therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), and Neurofeedback, we consistently publish studies that contribute to the broader medical community. Our research is peer-reviewed and frequently published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, ensuring that our findings reach a global audience. This commitment to scientific exploration allows us to continually improve and refine our therapies for the best possible outcomes.”
“Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, is a specialized form of medical treatment administered by delivering 100% pure oxygen to the body through increased atmospheric pressure greater than 1.3 ATA in an enclosed hard chamber. At pressures greater than normal, the body can incorporate more oxygen into blood cells, blood plasma, cerebral-spinal fluid, and other bodily fluids. The increased oxygen absorption experienced during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy significantly enhances the body’s ability to aid in its healing.”
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury (or worse) as a result of hyperbaric medicine (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) in Michigan or in another U.S. state, you should promptly find a Michigan medical malpractice lawyer, or a medical malpractice lawyer in your state, who may investigate your hyperbaric medicine negligence claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a hyperbaric medicine malpractice case, if appropriate.
Visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to be connected with medical malpractice attorneys in your state who may assist you.
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