TROY, Mich. — Four employees of a health care center are awaiting court proceedings as the investigation continues into a tragic incident that claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy and injured his mother during a hyperbaric chamber explosion. The explosion occurred at the Oxford Center on January 31, 2025, during a treatment session for young Thomas Cooper.
Tamela Peterson, 59; Jeffrey Mosteller, 65; Gary Marken, 66; and Aleta Moffitt, 61, face serious charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The group is set to appear before Judge Maureen McGinnis at the 52-4 District Court on January 20, 2026, as their preliminary examination approaches its conclusion. This hearing will determine whether the case will proceed to circuit court for trial.
Testimony during the preliminary examination has shed light on the lax safety practices alleged to have contributed to the fatal incident. Prosecutors claim the defendants neglected well-established protocols for operating hyperbaric chambers. Reports suggest that they failed to use grounding wrist straps, adjusted chamber cycle counts improperly, and used unsafe materials, including blankets directly from a dryer, which can enhance the risk of static electricity.
Peterson, as the center’s founder and CEO, faces the most serious allegations alongside Mosteller, the safety manager. The third defendant, Moffitt, who allegedly was operating the chamber at the time of the explosion, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.
Witness accounts have raised alarm bells regarding the operational standards at the Oxford Center. Tiffany Hosey, a former employee, testified that her safety concerns about grounding patients were repeatedly ignored. She indicated that discussions about safety protocols were dismissed outright by management. Experts who took the stand echoed her concerns, emphasizing the necessity of using grounding wrist straps to mitigate the risk of static discharge in oxygen-rich environments.
Detective Ryan Whiteside reviewed video evidence indicating that the boy involved in the incident never wore a grounding strap, heightening the risk of the explosion. His findings were supported by those of Troy Detective Danielle Trigger, who described a disorganized scene upon her arrival at the health facility. She noted that grounding straps were discovered unused in a drawer, reflecting a troubling disregard for safety measures.
Further testimony included insights from fire officials investigating the incident. Troy Fire Department Deputy Chief Shawn Hugg indicated that static electrical discharge was likely the ignition source for the fire that ensued. He stated that the absence of grounding practices was a significant factor contributing to the risks involved.
Additional former employees recounted their experiences, reporting that safety concerns, particularly about procedures related to hyperbaric chamber use, were routinely downplayed by management. Employees noted a culture that prioritized operational efficiency over patient safety, with grounding wrist straps discontinued at Peterson’s direction despite safety recommendations to the contrary.
As Tuesday’s court date approaches, the community remains watchful for updates regarding the legal ramifications for those involved. The proceedings may serve as a crucial turning point for accountability and reform in safety practices at medical facilities specializing in hyperbaric treatments.
