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Peterson’s bond remains at $2 million
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The CEO and founder of the Oakland County health care facility where a 5-year-old boy died in a hyperbaric chamber explosion was back in court Friday, and a judge denied the request to modify her bond.
Tamela Peterson, 58, of Brighton, appeared in court before 52-4 District Court Judge Maureen McGinnis on Friday, April 4, 2025.
The CEO was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Thomas Cooper, who was killed when the hyperbaric chamber he was receiving treatment in at the Oxford Center in Troy exploded on Jan. 31.
Her attorney, Gerald Gleeson, was asking to have her bond reduced, claiming that Peterson has no criminal history and isn’t a flight risk.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Kessel said that they are concerned that Peterson is a flight risk, because she previously tried to flee officers.
Read more — The text, photos Oxford Center CEO is accused of sending after 5-year-old died in hyperbaric chamber
Gleeson claimed Peterson’s office was nowhere near the front door, but Kessel said her office was connected to a back door, and video footage shows that when police asked for her phone, she successfully made it out the door before officers had to bring her back in.
Kessel also addressed phone calls Peterson has been making from jail. She has been contacting family members, who work at the Oxford Center, and discussing the case, including where to move documents and who to hire and fire at the facility.
This is a violation of the bond conditions, and McGinnis said that this was one of the most significant concerns regarding modifying the bond.
The judge said that it is clear calls at the jail are recorded and reviewed, and Peterson violated orders from both the court and her attorney.
McGinnis said the other three defendants have been respecting the process, but this shows that Peterson hasn’t.
She said having Peterson at home is not something she’s comfortable with because she hasn’t even been able to follow orders while being jailed.
The motion for a bond modification was denied, meaning Peterson’s bond will remain at $2 million.
Three other workers have also been charged, but Peterson is the only one who hasn’t posted bond.
The center’s safety manager, Jeffrey Mosteller, 64, of Clinton Township, was released on Monday. He was initially given a $250,000 bond, but it was lowered to $50,000 last week.
Gary Marken, 65, of Spring Arbor, the primary management assistant, and Aleta Moffitt, 60, of Rochester Hills, posted bond and were both released early in March. Marken was given a $250,000 bond, while Moffitt received a $100,000 bond.
Marken and Mosteller were also charged with second-degree murder, while Moffitt was charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.
All four defendants are expected to appear in court again on April 30.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sara Powers
Sara Powers joined WDIV as a digital content producer in Oct. 2024 and has been covering Metro Detroit news since 2021.
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