Thomas Cooper, 5—Killed by Negligence in a Routine Therapy Session
The life of five-year-old Thomas Cooper was extinguished in an instant on January 31, 2025, at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, during what should have been a safe, routine hyperbaric oxygen session. Instead, the session ended in an incomprehensible tragedy—a devastating fireball that claimed Thomas’s life and severely burned his mother, Juana “Annie” Cooper, as she fought desperately to save him. Nearly ten months after the incident, the wounds are raw as the legal fight for accountability continues, with four employees charged, including three with second-degree murder. This sorrowful Obituary honors the boy whose death was a betrayal of medical trust and a failure of basic safety protocols.
The Death Trap: A Routine That Ended in Fire
The horror of Thomas’s death is intensified by the fact that it was entirely preventable. Thomas, a sweet 5-year-old from Royal Oak, was receiving the therapy for conditions like sleep apnea and ADHD. Yet, as authorities have revealed, the chamber was allegedly operated in “complete disregard of vital safety measures,” lacking basic systems like a grounding strap that could have prevented the static spark that ignited the pure oxygen. The fatal explosion turned the treatment into a death trap, leaving the community of Troy and the nation stunned by the callous negligence. The shocking sight of the chamber in flames remains a permanent, painful memory for his mother, whose severe burns are a physical testament to her final, courageous act of love.
A Son Lost and Justice Demanded: The Fight for Thomas
Thomas Cooper’s passing leaves a void of unimaginable proportions. His mother, father, and family are left with the crushing knowledge that Thomas was entrusted to professionals who allegedly failed in their most basic duty. The employees—the CEO, manager, safety manager, and operator—are back in court, facing the full weight of criminal charges. This ongoing legal battle is not just about retribution; it is about seeking justice for Thomas and ensuring no other child or family suffers this profound devastation. The community’s grief and anger fuel the demand that those responsible for this horrific negligence be held fully accountable for turning a routine treatment into an unimaginable tragedy.