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Judge Orders Oxford Center Owner and Staff to Stand Trial in 2025 Hyperbaric Blast That Killed 5-Year-Old

The ruling follows months of testimony alleging the center discarded required hyperbaric safety measures.

Overview

  • Judge Maureen McGinnis found probable cause and bound four defendants over to Oakland County Circuit Court on felony charges tied to the Troy explosion.
  • Owner Tamela Peterson, safety director Jeffrey Mosteller, and manager Gary Marken face second-degree murder or alternatively involuntary manslaughter, while operator Aleta Moffitt faces involuntary manslaughter and falsifying a medical record.
  • Prosecutors argue the facility ignored manufacturer and NFPA protocols, including failing to use grounding straps, with former employees testifying they repeatedly warned leadership.
  • The precise ignition source has not been confirmed, though an expert described a plausible static-discharge scenario and fire officials said the investigation has not established a definitive cause.
  • No pretrial date has been set and all four remain free on bond, as Peterson also faces separate health care fraud charges and the family’s $100 million civil lawsuit proceeds.