Michigan Medical Center Faces Charges in Child’s Tragic Death \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Four individuals face charges in the death of a 5-year-old boy who was killed in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at a Detroit-area medical facility. Michigan’s attorney general stated the fire erupted instantly, leaving no chance for survival. The center’s CEO, facility and safety managers, and the chamber operator face charges, including second-degree murder. Investigators found the facility ignored key safety protocols, and the child’s treatment was not FDA-approved.
Hyperbaric Chamber Tragedy Quick Looks
- Victim Identified: 5-year-old Thomas Cooper died in the explosion at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan.
- Mother’s Injuries: Cooper’s mother sustained burn wounds while trying to save him.
- Charges Filed: Four individuals, including the center’s CEO and staff, face charges ranging from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.
- High Bond Set: CEO Tamela Peterson’s bond was set at $2 million, with others receiving bonds from $100,000 to $250,000.
- Illegal Treatment Claims: The child was receiving hyperbaric therapy for conditions not approved by the FDA.
- Facility’s Negligence: No daily maintenance check was performed, and the chamber was allegedly past its service lifetime.
- Explosion Cause: A spark ignited a fire that rapidly consumed the oxygen-rich chamber.
- Prosecutor’s Statement: Attorney General Dana Nessel called the incident a preventable tragedy due to reckless safety violations.
Deep Look
A Michigan medical facility is facing serious legal consequences after a tragic explosion inside a pressurized oxygen chamber killed a 5-year-old boy. On Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that four individuals, including the Oxford Center’s CEO, facility managers, and a technician, have been charged in connection with the fatal incident.
The explosion, which occurred on January 31, instantly engulfed the chamber in flames, leaving no time for escape. The young victim, Thomas Cooper, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his mother suffered burns in her desperate attempt to rescue him. Prosecutors allege that gross negligence and disregard for safety protocols led to the boy’s death, sparking outrage and calls for stricter regulation of hyperbaric therapy facilities.
Who’s Facing Charges?
The individuals charged in the case include:
- Tamela Peterson (CEO, 58): Charged with second-degree murder.
- Gary Marken (Facility Manager, 65): Charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
- Gary Mosteller (Safety Manager, 64): Charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
- Aleta Moffitt (Chamber Operator, 60): Charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.
Each of the accused was arrested on Monday and appeared in court the following day. All pleaded not guilty before Troy District Court Magistrate Elizabeth Chiappelli.
Given the severity of the charges, prosecutors requested high bonds. Peterson’s bond was set at $2 million, while Marken and Mosteller received $250,000 bonds, and Moffitt’s was set at $100,000.
Assistant Attorney General Chris Kessel raised concerns that Peterson had access to substantial financial resources and could potentially flee. However, her defense attorney, Gerald Gleeson II, argued for a reasonable bond.
Hyperbaric Therapy: A Risky and Unapproved Treatment
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves placing patients inside a pressurized chamber and delivering pure oxygen at levels significantly higher than in normal air. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the treatment for 13 medical conditions, including:
- Severe burns
- Decompression sickness (common in scuba divers)
- Chronic, non-healing wounds
However, sleep apnea and ADHD, the conditions for which young Thomas was receiving treatment, are not FDA-approved for HBOT. The attorney general criticized the facility for offering treatments that are “unsupported by medical science.”
“Because these treatments were so medically unsound, patient insurance policies would not cover the use of these chambers to treat these conditions,” Nessel said. “This business was a pure cash-flow, for-profit business.”
A Disaster Waiting to Happen? Safety Failures at Oxford Center
Investigators determined that multiple safety violations led to the catastrophic explosion, including:
- Failure to Perform Routine Maintenance: The chamber was not inspected the day of the explosion.
- Aging Equipment: The facility allegedly used chambers beyond their expected service lifetime.
- Lack of Proper Medical Supervision: No licensed medical professional was present at the facility when the incident occurred.
- Operator’s False Documentation: Moffitt, the chamber operator, allegedly falsified medical records to conceal improper treatment.
Attorney General Nessel emphasized the horrifying conclusions reached by safety experts investigating the incident.
“The Oxford Center routinely operated sensitive and lethally dangerous hyperbaric chambers beyond their expected service lifetime and in complete disregard of vital safety measures.”
Legal Defense and Community Reaction
Defense attorneys argue that their clients were caught in a tragic accident rather than an intentional act of wrongdoing. Marken’s attorney, Raymond Cassar, expressed shock at the murder charge against his client, telling reporters:
“This was a tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this little boy. I want to remind everyone that this was an accident, not an intentional act.”
Similarly, Moffitt’s lawyer, Ellen Michaels, requested “patience and fairness” as legal proceedings unfold. She emphasized that her client was a dedicated professional with years of experience in the healthcare industry.
Oxford Center’s Response
Shortly after the explosion, the Oxford Center released a statement defending its safety record:
“The safety and wellbeing of the children we serve is our highest priority. Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy.”
The facility claims it is fully cooperating with investigations. However, the Oxford Center is not accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, an organization that sets industry safety standards.
What’s Next? A Landmark Case in Medical Negligence
This case could set an important legal precedent for hyperbaric therapy clinics across the country. As the trial moves forward, it will likely raise questions about:
- Regulation of non-FDA-approved treatments
- Corporate accountability in medical facilities
- The need for stricter safety enforcement in hyperbaric centers
Prosecutors argue that this tragedy could have been avoided had proper safety measures been followed. With the accused now facing serious criminal charges, the case will unfold in court over the coming months.
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