One heartbroken mother is determined to raise awareness about the risks associated with amber teething necklaces, having tragically lost her son to strangulation. Sarah Jennings has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the popular online platform Etsy, aiming to hold the company accountable for the vast number of sellers offering these products—over 2.1 million.
In 2017, Sarah’s 18-month-old son, Max, died while napping at his daycare, where he was wearing an amber teething necklace—a gift she received at her baby shower. During his nap, the necklace became entangled, tightening around his neck and causing him to lose consciousness. He was taken to the hospital but sadly passed away five days later. “He was such a joyful little boy,” Sarah recounted in an interview. “As a single mom, we had an incredibly close bond.”
The lawsuit has been filed in the San Bernardino County Superior Court in California. Sarah’s attorney, Mark Thompson, stated, “This hazardous product from overseas would not be available in California or anywhere else in the United States if it weren’t for Etsy.” Recent reports from the FDA have raised serious concerns about these teething necklaces, citing incidents of strangulation and choking. The agency warns that these products are not only trendy but potentially lethal. “The FDA has documented cases of severe injuries and fatalities linked to teething jewelry, including amber necklaces,” the statement noted. “We are sharing this essential safety information to help prevent harm to infants and children.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends safer alternatives for alleviating teething discomfort, such as massaging gums with a clean finger or using firm rubber teething rings. The hazards linked to these necklaces are significant—strangulation, choking, and potential infections. The FDA further cautions that beads can pose choking risks if the necklace breaks, and the strangulation hazard arises when the necklace twists or catches on crib parts.
In response to the lawsuit, Etsy’s legal team has sought to have it dismissed, asserting that the platform does not guarantee the safety or legality of items sold. According to their user agreement, “Any legal claims related to a purchased item should be directed to the seller, not Etsy.” However, the lawsuit is moving forward since the necklace that Max wore was a gift.
Following her son’s tragic passing, Sarah began purchasing safer teething necklaces with breakaway safety clasps from baby supply stores, distributing them to parents she encounters using amber teething necklaces. “I’ve switched out several necklaces for parents I’ve met,” she shared. “Etsy often comes up when discussing where they bought theirs.” Sarah understands the blame some might unfairly direct at her, saying, “It was labeled a baby necklace, and I trusted it was safe. I would never have knowingly put my child in danger.”
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In summary, Sarah Jennings is bravely taking legal action against Etsy to raise awareness about the dangers associated with amber teething necklaces after the heartbreaking loss of her son. The case highlights the need for increased safety measures and accountability in the sale of such products.
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