Oxford Center safety director to serve up to 15 years in death of 5-year-old

One of the four charged after a hyperbaric chamber explosion led to the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper was sentenced on Monday. 

Criminal charges resulted against the owner of the Oxford Center and three employees – Tamela Peterson, Gary Marken, Aleta Moffitt and Jeffrey Mosteller – on accusations of not following safety protocols while working at the facility.  

"This is arrogance. That's what this is," said Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court Judge  Kwamé Rowe. "This is 'I think I know better than the national fire code,' 'I think I know better than the Seacrest manual,' 'I think I know better than my own training and experience,'"

Mosteller, who was the center's safety director, was sentenced, per an earlier plea agreement, to serve 19 months to 15 years in prison. He pleaded no contest in July to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

"This case is about the real-world consequences of someone when they say they know better than. And the real-world consequence of that is that a 5-year-old boy, whose life hadn't even started, burned alive while his mother watched," said Michigan Assistant Attorney General Chris Kessel. 

Court proceedings are pending for the other three who are charged. 

Investigators say the boy was receiving treatment in a hyperbaric chamber on Jan. 31, 2025, when video footage showed the chamber catching fire.

The Oxford Center in Troy provided therapy and treatment services to adults and children with various health conditions. Mosteller was the safety director at the facility.