Eight-year-old swallows toy parts, parents blame toy company

[jendf]

Girl, 8, Survives Swallowing 20 Steel Marbles, 10 Magnets
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,361902,00.html

HUNTINGBURG, Ind. —  The parents of an 8-year-old southern Indiana girl who swallowed 20 marble-size steel balls and half as many magnets from a building set want the toy completely removed from stores.

Haley Lents of Huntingburg underwent emergency intestinal surgery last month in Indianapolis after she swallowed pieces from her Mega Brands Magnetix MagnaCase set.

She was taken to the emergency room for stomach pains, and an X-ray revealed the force from the magnets had torn her intestines in eight places.

Her family plans to meet soon with an investigator from the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission to discuss ways to keep other children safe.

"We're going to work toward getting them out of the schools and off the shelves," said Jason Lents, Haley's father.

Mega Brands recalled about 2.4 million of the Chinese-made toys in March because the small magnets could fall out. The recall said more than one magnet, if swallowed, could attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal.

Two years earlier, Mega Brands recalled 3.8 million Magnetix sets because one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing magnets in the toys.

In April 2007 that recall was expanded to include an additional 4 million Mega Brands magnetic toys.

I'm not a parent so maybe I don't know any better but eight-years-old strikes me as a little old to be sticking toys in one's mouth. Am I being too harsh in thinking the parents are to blame here?

[morningAngel]

8 years is WAY TOO OLD for a child to be eating her toys...this is weird!

[guest]

No, you are not being too harsh.  An 8 year old should know better, but clearly, her parents are not exactly setting the best example for her.   A 2 or 3 year old would be understandable, but an 8 year old?   

[Chris_]

So as a result of one stupid brat thousands, maybe millions of kids will have yet another toy wrested from their hands.

How long before we just bubble wrap kids at birth and keep them that way until they are in their 30s (Helicopter Parents, anyone?)?

All toys will be made of foam.  Oh, wait, they might eat foam. 

No toys at all.

[Rebel]

The parents should be pistol-whipped.

[Chris_]

So as a result of one stupid brat thousands, maybe millions of kids will have yet another toy wrested from their hands.

How long before we just bubble wrap kids at birth and keep them that way until they are in their 30s (Helicopter Parents, anyone?)?

All toys will be made of foam.  Oh, wait, they might eat foam. 

No toys at all.

Just improve the strength of shrink-wrap about a 1000x.  The kids will never be able to open their toys.  Problem solved.

[lastparker]

The parents should be pistol-whipped.

And then doused with sulfuric acid.

[Wretched Excess]

8 years is WAY TOO OLD for a child to be eating her toys...this is weird!

you'd be shocked at the stuff I ate when I was eight.

[Chris_]

8 years is WAY TOO OLD for a child to be eating her toys...this is weird!

Well, I hope TNO gets all better soon.    :innocent:

[Lauri]

we have an 8 year old and while she is totally normal, although a bundle of energy and somewhat of a loose cannon () she hasnt put things in her mouth in years.. that's typically a toddler thing.

is this child mentally deficient in some way? I didnt read the full article... but either way, the parents are responsible. beyond toys, think of all the small objects around your house; buttons, pennies, stamps... hell, those little plastic knobs on the doorstops.

your house is a death trap!

[lastparker]

This is the crap that started happening when you were no longer allowed to smack your kid upside the head and ask, "What?  Are you stupid?  Who eats magnets, for God's sake?"

Can't damage that fragile self-esteem.   

[Wretched Excess]

This is the crap that started happening when you were no longer allowed to smack your kid upside the head and ask, "What?  Are you stupid?  Who eats magnets, for God's sake?"

Can't damage that fragile self-esteem.   

H5+ for profundity with a sense of humor.

[lastparker]

think of all the small objects around your house; buttons, pennies, stamps...

I call first class-action lawsuit against the Treasury, and the Postmaster General!

[lastparker]

H5+ for profundity with a sense of humor.

Aww......THANKS!  sniff sniff

[jendf]

we have an 8 year old and while she is totally normal, although a bundle of energy and somewhat of a loose cannon () she hasnt put things in her mouth in years.. that's typically a toddler thing.

is this child mentally deficient in some way? I didnt read the full article... but either way, the parents are responsible. beyond toys, think of all the small objects around your house; buttons, pennies, stamps... hell, those little plastic knobs on the doorstops.

your house is a death trap!

That was my question too, Lauri, but the article doesn't indicate that the girl might have issues of any sort. Other than she eats magnets for fun. 

[Lauri]

think of all the small objects around your house; buttons, pennies, stamps...

I call first class-action lawsuit against the Treasury, and the Postmaster General!

oh my GOD the list is endless-  why, right here on my desk i have a variety of things that could end my life at any moment!!!  i'm going to board up my kitchen tonight so that no unecessary chemicals fall into my children's mouths without my knowledge.

right after that I am going to sue every company on the face of the planet for endangering me and mine.

that'll teach em!