Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the tragic death of a five-year-old boy following an explosion in a hyperbaric chamber at the Oxford Medical Center in Troy, Michigan. Authorities confirmed the arrests on Monday morning, with arraignments scheduled for Tuesday.
The incident occurred on January 31 when five-year-old Thomas Cooper was undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the medical center. During the session, the chamber exploded, resulting in his death. His mother, who was in the room at the time, sustained injuries. Investigators have not yet disclosed the cause of the explosion.
Hyperbaric chambers are enclosed, high-pressure spaces filled with elevated levels of oxygen. While these chambers are used for various medical treatments, they can become highly combustible under certain conditions. Officials are continuing their investigation to determine what led to the explosion.
Although police have not officially released the names of those arrested, court records indicate that one of the individuals is Tami Peterson, the owner of the Oxford Medical Center. The medical center has expressed surprise over the charges, stating that standard protocols following fire-related incidents have not yet been completed.
James Harrington, the attorney representing the Cooper family, has raised concerns about the medical center’s past business practices. He noted that Michigan does not regulate the hyperbaric treatment industry, which may have contributed to unsafe conditions. Harrington emphasized that such an incident should never have occurred and attributed it to negligence.
Last month, Harrington announced plans to file a lawsuit seeking answers regarding the circumstances that led to Thomas Cooper’s death. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details about the case are expected to emerge following the upcoming court proceedings.
