Home / Disasters and Accidents / Water Beads Lawsuit: Family Blames Target for Daughter's Death
Water Beads Lawsuit: Family Blames Target for Daughter's Death
10 Jul
Summary
- A family is suing Target after their infant daughter died from swallowing a water bead.
- The lawsuit alleges Target failed to warn customers about the dangers of water beads.
- A recall was issued for over 52,000 water bead kits following the infant's death.
A lawsuit has been filed against Target in Hennepin County by a Wisconsin family whose ten-month-old daughter died after ingesting a water bead. The Bethard family claims the retail giant failed to warn them about the significant dangers posed by the product.
Water beads, often marketed for sensory kits, can expand dramatically in size when wet, presenting a serious hazard to young children. Between 2017 and 2022, the U.S. Product Safety Commission reported over 6,300 emergency department-treated ingestion injuries related to these items.
Esther "Jo" Bethard passed away in July 2023, with medical examiners confirming a single water bead caused her death. The family had purchased a water bead set in Spring 2022 for older siblings, not intending for the infant to interact with it.
Target and the manufacturer, Buffalo Games LLC, mutually agreed to remove the water bead product from shelves in November 2022, after the manufacturer noted potential misuse. Despite this, the Bethard lawsuit alleges Target did not adequately notify consumers of the risks.
In response to the lawsuit, a Target spokesperson expressed deepest sympathies and stated they worked closely with the manufacturer. The Bethards' mother has also spearheaded efforts leading to a recall of over 52,000 water bead kits and is advocating for federal legislation to ban them.
