Fisher-Price ignored warnings on Rock 'n Play sleepers that led to dozens of infant deaths, congressional report finds

Fisher-Price ignored repeated warnings that its Rock N' Play sleeper was dangerous before the device was recalled, according to a Congressional report.

Fisher-Price ignored repeated warnings that its Rock 'n Play sleeper was dangerous before the device was recalled, according to a congressional oversight committee report released Monday. The report said more than 50 infant deaths were linked to the sleeper. The 20-month investigation found that Fisher-Price failed to consult with pediatricians or take other key steps to ensure the Rock 'n Play’s design was safe before releasing it to the public and that it ignored multiple warnings from international regulators, pediatricians and customers that the product was dangerous despite knowledge of the risks. The report also accuses Fisher-Price and its parent company Mattel of "corporate greed and weak federal oversight" as well as endangering lives "simply to help its bottom line," Rep. Carolyn Maloney, chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, said in a statement. "Fisher-Price ignored multiple warnings that the Rock 'n Play was not safe for infant sleep, including reports of infant injuries and deaths," Maloney said. "Despite this clear evidence, the company continued to market the Rock 'n Play for overnight sleep, reaping hundreds of millions in revenue during the 10 years the product was on the market."