Four Charged in Deadly Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion That Killed 5-Year-Old Boy

Michigan officials allege safety failures and unapproved treatments at the facility led to the preventable death of Thomas Cooper in January.

Thomas Cooper, 5, died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion on January 31, 2025, while undergoing treatment for sleep apnea and ADHD at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against the facility's CEO, safety manager, manager, and chamber operator, with accusations ranging from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.
Investigators found the facility disregarded essential safety protocols, including failure to conduct maintenance checks, inspections, and proper grounding of the equipment.
The Oxford Center allegedly provided unapproved treatments for conditions not cleared by the FDA, prioritizing profit over patient safety, according to Nessel.
Thomas’ mother sustained significant burns attempting to rescue her son and the family plans to pursue legal action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.