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Children's Jewelry Recalled After 4-Year-Old Dies

4-Year-Old From Minnesota Died After Swallowing Piece Of Bracelet

POSTED: 5:19 am HST March 23, 2006
UPDATED: 5:58 am HST March 23, 2006

More than 800,000 pieces of children's jewelry are being recalled by two companies because of the danger of lead poisoning that killed one child, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported.

The CPSC said about 300,000 silver-colored, heart-shaped charm bracelets were recalled by Reebok International Ltd. after a 4-year-old child from Minneapolis swallowed one of the bracelets and died of lead poisoning.

"The entire Reebok family is sadden by the tragic death of a 4-year-old from Minnesota, whose reported cause of death was lead poisoning, and who was found to have ingested a trinket with our name on it," said Reebok President and CEO Paul Harrington. "I want to assure all of our consumers and our retailers that I will do everything in my power to ensure that no other family, no other child, suffers a similar tragedy."

The recall involves an 8-inch long metal bracelet with a heart-shaped charm.

The name "Reebok" is engraved on the one side of the charm.

The charm bracelet was provided as a free gift with the purchase of various styles of children’s footwear at major shoe stores nationwide from May 2004 through March.

The price of the shoes ranged from $33 to $50.

Consumers should immediately take the charm bracelets away from children and dispose of the entire bracelet.

Consumers can call Reebok at (800) 994-6250 or visit the company's Web site for more recall information. In a separate recall issued on Thursday, the CPSC said about 580,000 necklace and ring sets, imported by Dollar Tree Distribution Inc., are being recalled for a lead poisoning danger.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The recalled rings are silver in color, adjustable, and have one of a variety of designs with a toy "gem" in the center.

The necklaces have a black string with silver colored clasps and a silver charm with a "gem" in the center.

The packages are printed with "Mood Necklace," Mood Ring," "Glow in the Dark Necklace," "Glow in the Dark Ring," "UV Necklace" or "UV Ring."

The "UV" jewelry packaging reads, "The Sun's Energy Will Change The Color." Printed on the back of the packaging is "SKU#815485" and the name "Mannix."

The jewelry was sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bills, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only $1 and Super Dollar Tree stores nationwide from September 2003 through February for $1.

Consumers should immediately take the jewelry away from children. Consumers should return the recalled jewelry to the store where purchased for a refund.

Consumers can contact Dollar Tree Stores at (800) 876-8077 or visit the company's Web site for more recall information.

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