At the Oxford Center in Detriot, Michigan, four individuals have been charged in connection with the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper, who was killed in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at the beginning of the year. The incident occurred on January 31 while Thomas was undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for ADHD and sleep apnea, conditions which are not approved for such treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to authorities, the chamber exploded suddenly, incinerating Thomas within seconds. His mother, Annie Cooper, who was standing nearby, suffered severe burns as she tried to save her son. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges, stating that a single spark ignited the fatal fire.

The center’s owner, Tamela Peterson, faces second-degree murder charges, while manager Gary Marken and safety manager Gary Mosteller have been charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Aleta Moffitt, the operator of the chamber at the time of the explosion, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.

Nessel emphasized that the Oxford Center operated the hyperbaric chambers beyond their service life and ignored critical safety protocols. “Fires inside a hyperbaric chamber are almost always fatal,” she said, adding that the center prioritized profit over safety, offering unapproved treatments for conditions like ADHD.

In a statement following the tragedy, the Oxford Center called the incident “unprecedented” in its 15 years of operation and pledged to cooperate with investigations. However, attorneys for the accused have described the event as a tragic accident, with Marken’s lawyer calling the second-degree murder charge “a total shock.”

Moffitt’s attorney, Ellen Michaels, expressed sympathy for the Cooper family and asked for patience as the legal process unfolds. “This event has profoundly impacted many, including my client, who has always prioritized patient safety,” Michaels said.

Thomas’ death has sparked outrage and raised questions about the safety and regulation of alternative medical treatments. The FDA has approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific conditions, such as severe burns and decompression sickness, but not for ADHD or sleep apnea.

Rip Poor Thomas.

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