UPDATE: Four individuals face serious charges following the tragic death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at The Oxford Center in Troy on January 31, 2025. The preliminary hearing resumed today, revealing critical failures in safety protocols that prosecutors assert contributed to the boy’s preventable death.
Court proceedings resumed this morning, two months after the initial hearings. Tamela Peterson, CEO of The Oxford Center; Gary Marken, the center’s manager; Aleta Moffitt, the chamber operator; and Jeffrey Mosteller, the safety director, are all charged in connection with the incident.
During today’s session, prosecutors called upon expert witness Andrew Melnyczenko, the technical and safety director of hyperbaric medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Melnyczenko testified that approximately 40 minutes elapsed between the pressurization of the chamber and the moment flames were observed. His review of video footage showed Thomas moving in the chamber, ultimately exposing a portion of the mattress and igniting the fire.
Melnyczenko confirmed that standard safety protocols were not adhered to at The Oxford Center. Under questioning from prosecutors, he noted, “Thomas was not wearing a grounding strap before the explosion.” This admission raises alarming questions about safety practices within the facility.
The emotional weight of the case is palpable as families and community members gather to witness the proceedings. The hearing continues tomorrow, with further testimonies expected to shed light on the tragic events that unfolded that day.
As this case develops, the implications for safety regulations in hyperbaric medicine are significant. Experts and advocates are urging immediate reforms to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent and heartbreaking situation as it unfolds.
