Three people were accused of second degree murder after a 5 -year -old boy died when a hyperbaric camera exploded in a medical center in Michigan earlier this year, authorities announced on Tuesday.
Thomas Cooper died on January 31 in the incident at Oxford Center in Troy, authorities said.
The camera contained 100% oxygen, which made it extremely flammable, said Lieutenant Keith Young of the Detroit Fire Department at that time.
The owner of Oxford Center, Tamela Peterson, and two other employees of the installation, have now been accused of second degree murder in relation to their death, said Michigan Attorney, Dana Nessel.
They also face an alternative charge of involuntary homicide. Nessel said that a jury will ultimately decide if the State has enough evidence to prove the murder position.
The hyperbaric chamber operator also faces an involuntary homicide charge, Nessel said.
The Oxford Center in Troy Michigan, 165 Kirts Boulevard, is seen here from Google Maps.
“Due to many failures of men and women who are called medical professionals, and contempt without intentions or deliberate for the probability that their actions cause the death of a patient: Thomas Cooper was killed,” Nessel said in information about the press.
The Oxford Center said it has been cooperating with multiple investigations on the “tragic accident” and is “disappointed” in the decision to present charges.
“The moment of these charges is surprising, since the typical protocol after a fire -related accident has not yet been completed,” said Oxford center in a statement. “There are still outstanding questions about how this happened. However, the Office of the Attorney General proceeded to present positions without those answers.”
“Our highest priority every day is the security and well -being of the children and families we serve, which continues during this process,” the statement added.
This is a development story. Consult the updates again.
