Home | Contact Us | Links
   
 
Today is 7/25/2008
             
 
  News
  Protect Your Child
  Product Hazards
  Programs
  Advocacy
  Publications
  Press Room
  About Us




116 W. Illinois
Suite 5E
Chicago, IL
60610-4522
312 / 595-0649 T
312 / 595-0939 F


Family Voices

Elizabeth

submitted by her mother, Lisa

  On December 19, 2002, after arriving at my in-laws for Christmas vacation, we put our daughter Elizabeth, down for a nap. My Mother-in-law had purchased a Graco Pack-n-Play, model #9531CYP, for our visit. This particular model had a changing table attached across the top of the Pack-n-Play. It was all set up, and we laid her down for her nap.

My husband, wanting to show my in-laws how Elizabeth would yell, "Come in!" after you knocked on the door, but received no reply. When he opened the door, he found her. Her head was caught in between the side rail of the Pack-n-Play and the underside of the attached changing table. She was not breathing. She was later pronounced dead after efforts to save her.

Elizabeth was born on November 4, 2001. She died after only 13 months of life.

I strongly hope to join the fight for protecting our children, and demanding that manufacturers of children’s products are held to stricter guidelines in their product designs. I hope that no other family out there will have to live through what we did ever again.

Here is a poem written by Elizabeth's mother

December 19

The Red dress flares just slightly at the bottom
Twirling beneath the Christmas lights, and nativity scene
White tights bunched up around your toes
In slow motion you blink, then smile
Between two soft, slightly chapped cheeks,
A four-tooth smile appears

Dance my little Angel, dance

Tiny fingers pound the toy piano
That plays classical melodies
Your soft head tilts in between your shoulders,
Rocking side to side
Until your favorite song is played
And you get up to turn some more

Dance my little Angel, dance

Little feet march across the floor
A giggle here and there
Clapping your hands to the soft music
Reaching up for me to join
You wrap your hand around my finger
And we dance there together

Dance, my little Angel, dance

But December 19 came, and here you lie before me
Your colored cheeks beginning to fade,
Your red dress upon you once more
The only thing keeping me standing,
Is your dance playing through my mind
You are with the Angels now, I have to let you go

But I know you are still dancing,
Dancing among the Angels for me



Continue to the next story . . .
<< Ethan Andrew >>
Kids in Danger Family Voices - Elizabeth/td>
Elizabeth

(b)  11/04/2001
(d)  12/19/2002
At thirteen months, Lisa and Thomas’ daughter, Elizabeth, died when her head became lodged between the side rail of her Graco Pack-n-Play, Model 9531CYP play yard and the underside of the attached changing table.

For more information, check out:

Product Hazards/Portable Cribs