Three individuals are facing murder charges following the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy inside a hyperbaric chamber. The incident occurred at The Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, where the boy, Thomas Cooper, was undergoing treatment for sleep apnea and ADHD. Thomas lost his life when a spark ignited a fire in the chamber, which contains 100% oxygen and is highly combustible. The family’s lawyer, James Harrington, revealed that the boy’s mother sustained burns on her arms while trying to rescue her son from the flames.
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges during a press conference, stating that The Oxford Center’s CEO, Tamela Peterson, its director of operations, Gary Marken, and safety director Jeffrey Mosteller, have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, along with alternative counts of involuntary manslaughter. Aleta Moffitt, who was operating the chamber at the time of the explosion, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records as a medical provider. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned later and have not yet entered their pleas.
According to Nessel, The Oxford Center’s negligence in maintaining and operating the hyperbaric chambers led to the tragic incident. She accused the facility of disregarding essential safety measures, making their actions tantamount to second-degree murder. Nessel highlighted that The Oxford Center prioritized financial gain over patient safety by offering unaccredited and debunked treatments to children. The attorney general emphasized that the defendants could also be convicted on manslaughter charges by a jury if the murder threshold is not met.
Thomas’ parents turned to The Oxford Center seeking help for his medical conditions, hoping to find relief for his sleep apnea and ADHD. Harrington expressed disbelief at the facility’s alleged misconduct, stating that the representations made by The Oxford Center were unfounded. The center claimed on its website that hyperbaric therapy could improve concentration, communication, memory, and sleep for ADHD patients. In response to the charges, The Oxford Center expressed disappointment, prompting criticism from Harrington for their insensitivity towards the grieving family.
A fundraising campaign for Thomas’ family has garnered significant support, raising over $67,000 in donations. The tragic incident has prompted a closer examination of safety measures and protocols in medical facilities, underscoring the importance of stringent regulations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of negligence in healthcare settings, urging authorities to hold individuals and institutions accountable for the well-being of their patients. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community mourns the loss of a young life and seeks justice for Thomas Cooper.