LANSING, Mich., March 12, 2025 — On Jan. 31, the Troy community was heartbroken to learn of the death of a young child in a tragic explosion in the city. A five-year-old boy was killed and his mother severely injured when a hyperbaric chamber at the Oxford Center’s Troy facility exploded during a treatment session.
As the news developed that morning, a picture emerged of a company profiting from questionable, unproven and even dangerous treatments for numerous illnesses. Now, charges have been brought against the owner, Tamela Peterson of Brighton, and three other employees of the center, alleging that the hyperbaric chamber was improperly run and even tampered with to avoid maintenance costs. After the arrests, state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) issued the following statement:
“Nothing can be done to make this family whole once more. They have my deepest sympathies, and we must seek justice for them. I am grateful to the Troy Fire and Police departments for their thorough investigation of the company’s actions and to the Attorney General for bringing these charges.
”As a legislator, I believe we must learn from this tragedy and start regulating the use of hyperbaric chambers in Michigan. The equipment can be maintained and used safely, but this high-risk treatment should not be offered for spurious cures, nor by people more interested in making money than helping people and keeping them safe.”