Owner Of Oakland Co. Center Where Boy Died In Hyperbaric Chamber Blast Charged With Health Care Fraud

TROY, MI — The owner and former CEO of an Oakland County medical center where a 5-year-old boy died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion is now facing charges of health care fraud, the Michigan Attorney General's Office said Tuesday.

Tamela Peterson, 59, of Brighton, was charged with nine counts of health care fraud, each punishable by a maximum of four years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. She has also been charged with second-degree murder.

Peterson, who was the owner and CEO of the Oxford Recovery Center in Brighton and The Oxford Center in Troy, billed for services that were not rendered to patients, officials said.

The investigation began in September 2022 when former providers and patients complained, officials said.

"Filing false claims impacts not only patients and providers, but also contributes to increased costs of healthcare and medical insurance for everybody," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. "Health care fraud undermines the trust between patients and providers and patients’ notions of confidentiality and care."

In January 2025, officials said 5-year-old Thomas Cooper was inside a hyperbaric chamber that exploded while receiving treatment at the Troy location. Investigators believe a single spark caused the explosion. Prosecutors argue more safety steps could have prevented the tragedy.

Three other Oxford Center employees - Manager Gary Marken, Safety Director Jeffrey Mosteller and chamber operator Aleta Moffitt - were charged in connection with Thomas's death.

Marken and Mosteller are charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, while Moffitt is charged with involuntary manslaughter and intentionally placing false information on a medical record.

A judge was still reviewing evidence to determine whether to send all four to trial.