In an unsettling incident for parents, a South Carolina mother has brought legal action against the toy manufacturer Mattel after a significant error on the packaging of a doll led her daughter to encounter a pornographic website. The doll was part of the recently released Wicked product line, which coincided with the launch of the film adaptation of the popular musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Holly Ricketson filed the civil lawsuit on Tuesday, asserting she purchased the doll for her young daughter, who discovered the adult content due to the mistakenly printed web address. According to court documents, Ricketson and her daughter were "horrified" by the explicit images displayed on the site, leading to claims of emotional distress.
Mattel has publicly acknowledged the error, labeling it an "unfortunate mistake," and has initiated a recall of the affected dolls while advising consumers to discard the flawed packaging. The lawsuit, however, highlights that the company has not offered refunds to buyers despite the significant error.
The complaint states that Ricketson would have never purchased the doll had she been aware of the misprint. Seeking $5 million in damages, the lawsuit invites others across the United States who might have purchased dolls with the incorrect labeling to join in the class action.
In addition to the emotional distress claims, the lawsuit accuses Mattel of negligence, selling products unsuitable for public sale, and breaching California consumer protection laws. Meanwhile, the film adaptation of Wicked, which premiered in theaters on November 22, has already grossed over $263 million in the U.S. and $360 million globally, fueling significant interest in merchandise related to the musical.
Mattel has yet to release a further comment on the ongoing lawsuit or the specifics of the recall process.
