Four charged over death of five-year-old boy in hyperbaric chamber explosion

A high-pressure oxygen chamber explosion at a medical facility in the United States has resulted in the death of a five-year-old boy. Currently, four individuals have been charged in connection with the incident, marking a significant development in the investigation.

The deceased has been identified as Thomas Cooper from Royal Oak, Michigan. His mother was standing next to the oxygen chamber at the time of the incident and sustained arm injuries. The accident occurred at the Oxford Kids Therapy center in the Detroit suburb of Troy on January 31, creating a scene of distress and prompting immediate emergency response.

Online court records indicate that Tamela Peterson, the founder and CEO of the center, has been charged with second-degree murder. The other defendants include Gary Markens, 65, and Gary Mosteller, 64, who are charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter; and Aleta Moffett, 60, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter and deliberately entering false medical information on a medical record chart, revealing a complex web of accusations.

Arraignments are scheduled to take place at the Troy District Court on Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday AEST). Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is prosecuting the case and is expected to release further details at a press conference later in the morning, aiming to provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

Raymond Cassar, Markens' attorney, stated that the second-degree murder charge came as a "complete shock" to him and his client. "He is presumed innocent for all purposes," Cassar said. "This was a tragic accident, and our thoughts and prayers are with the little boy's family." He further emphasized: "I want to remind everyone that this was an accident, not an intentional act. We will have to have experts determine what caused it," highlighting the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the root cause.

Aleta Moffett's attorney, Allen Michaels, declined to comment prior to Tuesday's arraignment. The Associated Press left messages for Peterson's attorney on Tuesday morning seeking comment but did not receive a response. Mosteller does not have an attorney. The Associated Press also left voicemails seeking comment with attorneys representing Oxford Kids Therapy and the center itself, but no responses were received.

In an email sent after the explosion, Oxford Kids Therapy stated that a fire had occurred inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. "The safety and well-being of the children we serve is our top priority," the center said. "In the 15-plus years that we have provided this type of therapy, nothing like this has ever happened. We do not know why or how this happened and will participate in all investigations that need to be conducted," signaling their commitment to understanding and addressing the incident.

Troy Fire Lt. Keith Young stated after the explosion that hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves delivering pure oxygen to the body in a pressurized chamber, at levels five times higher than that of normal room oxygen. Young also stated: "Having that high of a concentration of oxygen in a pressurized environment makes it very combustible. We did some preliminary investigations. This is a very rare occurrence, so we are unsure what caused it," underscoring the unusual nature of the event and the challenges in determining the cause.