Midwest

Michigan mom who braved flames for son in hyperbaric chamber explosion stresses treatment dangers: attorney

Published

1 year ago

February 23, 2025

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Michigan mom who braved flames for son in hyperbaric chamber explosion stresses treatment dangers: attorney

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The mother of a 5-year-old Michigan boy who died in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber explosion while receiving treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep apnea jumped into flames to try and save her son, according to the family’s attorney.

Annie Cooper was sitting in a waiting room while her son, Thomas Cooper, received treatment in the chamber containing 100% oxygen on Jan. 31 at The Oxford Center in Troy, about 24 miles north of Detroit.

“She was in the waiting room and was alerted that … something wrong had happened. She rushed back to where her son was, and she tried and tried and tried to get him out and … was unable to,” James Harrington of Fieger Law told Fox News Digital. “She sustained serious, significant burns in that attempt to rescue her child.”

Fieger Law is investigating the incident, and Harrington believes The Oxford Center “was understaffed and did not have the resources for an emergency like this.”

BOY KILLED IN HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER REMEMBERED AS ‘CURIOUS, ENERGETIC, SMART’ AS FAMILY INTENDS TO SUE

Thomas Cooper, 5, of Michigan, died in a hyperbaric chamber on Jan. 31. (Cooper family handout)

The Oxford Center currently states on its website: “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is an alternative treatment which will decrease inflammation, oxygenate the entire body, stimulate the growth of new healthy blood vessels, and release stem cells, up to 800% more after 20 sessions. Studies have reported improvement in concentration, communication, working memory and sleep.”

Troy police and fire officials said Thomas was dead inside the chamber when they arrived, while Annie suffered injuries to her arm. Michigan State Police are currently the lead agency investigating his death, according to Harrington.

CELEBRITIES LIKE BIEBER, BIALIK ARE USING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY: HERE’S WHY IT’S TRENDING

Troy police and fire officials said Thomas was dead inside the chamber when they arrived on the scene. (Cooper family handout)

Patients who receive hyperbaric chamber treatment will “enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than average,” according to Johns Hopkins. “The goal is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function.”

Harrington, who plans to sue The Oxford Center, said it’s in a parent’s nature to make sure their child gets the help they need to feel most comfortable, but certain medical “facilities regularly promote and claim that [hyperbaric chambers] can cure everything, almost, and it isn’t necessarily supported by science, isn’t necessarily supported by peer-reviewed literature.”

DOCTOR LOSES LICENSE OVER OXYGEN CHAMBER FIRE THAT KILLED 2

Patients who receive hyperbaric chamber treatment will “enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than average,” according to Johns Hopkins. (Daily News and Wicked Local Staff Photo/Ken McGagh/USA TODAY NETWORK)

“They prey on people that are desperate to help family members, help their children, help loved ones, and to provide this oxygen therapy and make the condition less impactful in their life,” Harrington explained, adding that hyperbaric chambers are not “regulated” in Michigan like they are in other states.

The Oxford Center did not respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.

The Cooper family’s attorney plans to file a lawsuit in the coming weeks after the boy’s death in a hyperbaric chamber. (Cooper family handout)

Hyperbaric chambers have been used in the United States since the 20th century. They are typically used to treat decompression sickness for scuba divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene and certain kinds of wounds or injuries that won’t heal on their own, according to Johns Hopkins.

Annie and her husband, Thomas’ father, James Cooper, buried the 5-year-old on Feb. 13. Thomas “was known to all his friends, family, and teachers as a curious, energetic, smart, outgoing, and thoughtful little boy,” his obituary states.

“His favorite activities were running, jumping, rolling, and stomping. He was just starting music and dance classes. He was also attending preschool,” it reads. The 5-year-old wanted to be a chef when he grew up so he could “cook with Mommy and Daddy and stay with them forever.”

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Wisconsin

Former Wisconsin basketball player Alie Bisballe transfers to Michigan State

Published

41 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Former Wisconsin basketball player Alie Bisballe transfers to Michigan State

MADISON – When Alie Bisballe committed to the Wisconsin women’s basketball program during the summer of 2023, she had an scholarship on the table from Michigan State.

After the 6-foot-4 forward entered the transfer portal last month, the Spartans came calling again. This time she accepted their offer.

Bisballe announced her commitment to the Spartans May 5. The move puts her about two hours from her hometown of Lake City, Michigan.

She has two years of eligibility remaining.

Bisballe, who announced the news on Instagram, played in 36 games for Wisconsin in two seasons and averaged 1.3 points per game. She averaged one point and 0.8 rebounds per game this past season.

At Michigan State, she’ll joined another former Badger. Carter McCray, who played for UW in 2024-25, is transferring to Michigan State after one season at West Virginia.

Four Wisconsin players entered the portal last month. Rising senior Kyrah Daniels withdrew her name, but guard Breauna Ware signed with Wake Forest. Jovana Spasovski, a 6-0 wing with two years of eligibility remaining, has not announced a commitment.

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Detroit, MI

Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch

Published

6 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch

Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from his start Tuesday, May 5, against the Boston Red Sox before recording an out in the fourth inning.

The 32-year-old was ejected by third-base umpire and crew chief Dan Iassogna for hitting Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a first-pitch 94.4 mph four-seam fastball – immediately after giving up back-to-back home runs.

The hit-by-pitch appeared to be intentional, especially because the pitch registered as the only four-seam fastball that Valdez has thrown in the 2026 season.

The Red Sox scored 10 runs off Valdez, including two in the fourth inning on home runs from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, both with bat flips. That’s when Valdez hit Story, who absorbed the pitch with his back.

Players and coaches from both teams’ benches and bullpens poured onto the field at Comerica Park.

Valdez stood near the mound during the skirmish, all while his teammates and coaches exchanged words with players and coaches from the Red Sox.

There was no brawl.

Before benches and bullpens cleared, Story stared down Valdez from near home plate, and Valdez took several steps in front of the pitching mound.

The two never came close to a fight.

Afterward, the umpires gathered, discussed what had happened and ejected Valdez. He didn’t protest the ejection, simply walking off the mound and into the clubhouse.

Both teams were warned not to retaliate.

Valdez – a two-time All-Star in his nine-year MLB career – allowed 10 runs (seven earned runs) on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 45 of 60 pitches for strikes.

He generated six misses on 34 swings for a below-average 17.6% whiff rate, while the Red Sox averaged an above-average 93.3 mph exit velocity on 16 balls in play.

Valdez has a 4.57 ERA in eight starts.

The Tigers – led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris – signed Valdez in early February to a lucrative contract that will be worth three years, $115 million if he exercises his player option for the third season.

The deal set the MLB record for the highest average annual value guaranteed to a left-handed pitcher, at $38.3 million.

So far, the results have been disappointing.

The hit-by-pitch in Tuesday’s meltdown didn’t help.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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Milwaukee, WI

Here’s how Milwaukee high school students can learn to drive for $35 this summer

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how Milwaukee high school students can learn to drive for this summer

by Alex Klaus, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
May 5, 2026

Summer is almost here, and so is registration for another round of $35 driver’s education classes for Milwaukee Public Schools students.

Each semester, Milwaukee Recreation offers MPS Drive, a driver’s education program for Milwaukee Public Schools students ages 15 to 17.

Registration for July classes opened May 5. Students can take classes in person, online or both, in addition to getting their driving hours behind the wheel with an instructor.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming driver’s education classes and how you can join.

How do I sign up?

You can sign up through the Milwaukee Recreation registration site here.

Students signing up for MPS Drive already have an account, according to Nicole Jacobson, citywide programs manager. Students should sign in using the first seven digits of their student ID. Their pin should be their last name with the first letter capitalized.

Students interested in the community-based program will need to be signed up through a parent’s account. To create a parent’s account, you’ll need a username, email and password. You will be asked to provide your name, address, phone number, date of birth and information for any other family members interested in Milwaukee Recreation activities.

Once signed in, pick the class format, dates, time and location that works best for you, then click ‘add to selection list’ and ‘add to cart.’

Who can take classes?

Any student attending Milwaukee Public Schools between the ages of 15 and 17 and a half can sign up through MPS Drive. Students at some schools chartered through MPS can join as well.

To verify if your student’s charter school is eligible, call 414-647-6050.

Where are the classes?

Classes are available in person within some high schools, a hybrid format using both online and in-person classes or an entirely asynchronous online course that students have 90 days to complete.

All classes, including online courses, will include behind-the-wheel lessons with six hours of observation and six hours of driving, Jodie Donabar, driver’s education supervisor at Milwaukee Recreation, said.

How much does it cost?

The program has a $35 fee, which is used to cover the costs of the driver’s permit. This fee includes classroom education and practice time behind the wheel.

What if I’m over the age limit?

If you’re over the age limit, you can take your test without completing a driver’s education program when you turn 18. You will need to pass the written permit test, which you can prepare for by studying the Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook, and take practice permit tests.

After you receive your permit, you can practice driving with someone who holds a Class D driver’s license that is not probationary. You can then schedule a road test at the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles.

Those 18 and older can ask for tutoring help with the written permit test from local driving schools. You can also take a class at a private driving school, which costs on average $500 to $700.

Alex Klaus is the education solutions reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.

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