The Hidden Dangers of Water Beads: A Mom’s Fight to Protect Children

When Ashley Haugen’s daughter, Kipley, was just a toddler, she developed a strange rash and began throwing up. Doctors were stumped, unable to figure out what was wrong. But the answer was something no one expected—water beads. These tiny, colorful balls, often marketed as safe, fun, and even eco-friendly sensory toys for children, turned into a nightmare for Kipley and her family.

Water beads can start out as small as a grain of sand, but when they absorb water, they expand up to 100 times their original size. Tragically, Kipley had swallowed some of these beads, and they caused a dangerous blockage in her small intestine. During emergency surgery, doctors discovered the beads inside her, but the damage had already been done.

In the weeks that followed, Kipley’s health continued to decline. She struggled with coordination and had trouble responding to simple commands. Eventually, doctors diagnosed her with toxic brain encephalopathy, a severe condition caused by exposure to harmful chemicals. Kipley’s life was changed forever, all because of a toy that was supposed to be safe.

Water Beads is a Growing Danger for Children

Kipley is not alone. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 7,800 cases of water bead ingestion injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms between 2016 and 2022. In 2023, a heartbreaking tragedy occurred when a 10-month-old baby died after swallowing water beads. The beads are made of polyacrylamide, and acrylamide, a known neurotoxin, raising serious concerns about their safety in children’s products.

“It breaks my heart, what happened to Kipley,” said Haugen. “And for me, it’s been very healing to be able to know that that pain has a purpose.”

Determined to prevent other families from suffering, Haugen started an advocacy website called That Water Bead Lady, where she raises awareness and supports families whose children have been harmed by water beads. Her mission is clear: no more children should suffer from these dangerous products.

A Call for Change: Banning Water Beads

Kipley, now eight years old, has a powerful message for lawmakers: “Please work together to ban water beads. Lots of kids like me got hurt.”

Haugen, along with other advocates and medical experts, is pushing for change. Their work has led to the introduction of a new bill on the United States Senate floor that would make it illegal to sell water beads designed or marketed for children.

Senator Bob Casey, one of the bill’s sponsors, stated, “With thousands of children hospitalized in just the last few years, it is clear that this product has no place in the hands of children. This bill will keep kids out of the hospital and prevent more families from facing the nightmare of water bead ingestion.”

Esther’s Law: Honoring a Lost Child

The proposed legislation, known as Esther’s Law, is named after 10-month-old Esther Jo Bethard, who tragically lost her life after swallowing a stray water bead left behind by her older sibling months earlier. Her grieving parents have turned their heartbreak into action, fighting for stricter regulations on these dangerous products.

If passed, Esther’s Law would:

• Ban water beads marketed as toys, sensory tools, educational materials, or art supplies for children.
• Require warning labels on all water bead products.
• Consider banning bright colors that make them more appealing to children.

“No family should have to figure out how to explain the death of a child to their siblings, or how to have holidays and birthdays without them,” said Esther’s mother, Taylor Bethard. “Esther’s Law will help ensure that other families do not have to endure the same senseless tragedy.”

How KBA Attorneys Can Help

If you have purchased water beads on Amazon or any other site and your child has been harmed, you are not alone. Many families have already taken legal action against manufacturers for failing to warn consumers about the dangers of these products. At KBA Attorneys, we hold companies accountable when their products cause harm to children and families.

Parents buy toys expecting them to be safe. They trust that products sold in stores or online have been tested and are free from hidden dangers. But as Kipley’s case—and thousands of others—have shown, this is not always true. If your child has suffered due to water bead ingestion, you may be entitled to compensation to help with medical bills, long-term care, and emotional distress.

KBA Attorneys has litigated child other dangerous products for children and ingestion cases like this. In particular, an Amazon case involving magnets. These small, strong magnets—often sold as desk toys or educational items—can be extremely hazardous if swallowed, particularly by children. When multiple magnets are ingested, they can attract each other through intestinal walls, leading to serious internal injuries, perforations, infections, or even death.

Protecting Our Children From Water Beads 

As parents, we do everything we can to keep our children safe. We baby-proof our homes, research the best car seats, and monitor what they eat. But sometimes, hidden dangers slip through the cracks—dangers like water beads. That’s why awareness and action are so important.

By supporting Esther’s Law, spreading awareness, and holding negligent manufacturers accountable, we can make sure no other child suffers from the devastating effects of water beads swallowed.

If your family hasbeen affected by a water beads injury, water beads death or any other dangerous product has caused harm, don’t hesitate to reach out. KBA Attorneys is here to fight for justice and help you through this difficult time. Together, we can make a difference and protect children from these preventable tragedies.

For more information or a free consultation, contact KBA Attorneys today. Let’s stand together to keep our children safe from harmful products.