Potty-training product that allegedly caused gruesome injuries removed from Target shelves

Target has agreed to stop selling two potty training products that attorneys say caused severe injury to the genitals of at least 15 toddlers, including a 3-year-old Riverside boy, as a trial on behalf of that child’s family prepares to start.

The agreement, which was entered into court records July 20, settles a class action lawsuit on behalf of anyone who bought two Prince Lionheart products. In it, Target denies that the products have any defect.

But WeePOD Basix and the WeePOD Toilet Trainer Squish with manufacturing dates before March 23, 2018, have resulted in at least 15 young boys getting their penises caught on the product in a way that caused gruesome ripping, said attorney John Kristensen.

That includes the Riverside boy, who’s now 4, Kristensen said.

“He’s got permanent erectile dysfunction,” Kristensen said by phone.

Separately from the class action lawsuit, Kristensen and attorney John Carpenter are suing on Prince Lionheart on behalf of toddlers they say were injured by the products. The trial for the Riverside family, which is not being named to protect the child’s identity, is scheduled to begin as soon as a Riverside courtroom is open, according to court records.

That lawsuit was filed in December.

Target spokeswoman Danielle Schumann said the company’s only response would be the statement it issued when the lawsuit was filed.

“Target is committed to providing high quality and safe products to our guests, and we require all of our vendors to follow product safety laws and CPSC guidelines for their products that they sell at Target,” the statement says. “Prince Lionheart manufactures the product and sells it at a variety of retailers. Prince Lionheart has been in direct communication with the guest’s attorneys on this lawsuit, and any additional questions should be directed to them.”

Prince Lionheart did not return phone calls Friday or Monday.

In December, the company’s CEO, Kelly McConnell, replied to the lawsuit with a statement saying children’s safety was the top priority.

“All of our products are tested by third-party accredited testing houses and either meet or exceed all applicable domestic and international standards,” McConnell said in the statement.

The lawsuit details customer reports of ripped genitals sent to the company since 2012. About 500,000 of the products were sold for about $15 each, Kristensen said.