Home / Crime and Justice / Safety Director Gets 15 Years for Child's Death
Safety Director Gets 15 Years for Child's Death
4 Sep
Summary
- Former safety director sentenced for involuntary manslaughter.
- Hyperbaric chamber fire killed a 5-year-old boy.
- Facility lacked essential grounding straps during treatment.
A former safety director has received a sentence of 19 months to 15 years in prison in connection with the death of a 5-year-old boy. The child, Thomas Cooper, died on January 31, 2025, when a hyperbaric chamber at the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, caught fire and exploded during treatment. This incident occurred because the facility did not use grounding straps, which are essential for preventing sparks during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The judge criticized the former safety director, Jeffrey Mosteller, for failing to address the absence of grounding straps, a practice that predated his employment but which he did not correct. The Attorney General's office stated that safety protocols from the National Fire Protection Association and the chamber manufacturer were not followed. Other individuals, including the CEO and operations director, face charges related to the incident, with their cases still pending.
