IKEA, the Swedish furniture outlet, has withdrawn a children’s bed from sale after a toddler died when her head was caught in the frame.
Millie Carlin, 21 months, was found dead by her parents after her head became trapped between the bed and the wall at her home in Forest Town, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
They believe that she had been trying to reach her favourite toy, which had fallen out of the wrought iron extendable bed and on to the floor.
Millie’s mother, Allison, 41, paid tribute to the “beautiful princess” she lost as a result of the accident and said that she did not blame the company for what happened. She said: “This is a tragic freak accident and probably could have happened in any bed. I don’t blame Ikea.”
The child died last Wednesday after Mrs Carlin put her down for a mid-morning nap. Mrs Carlin said: “I don’t know how we will ever get over losing her. It’s just been such a huge shock. We loved her so much and we just cannot imagine life without her.”
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Mrs Carlin added that she appreciated the speed with which Ikea had reacted and the sensitivity that it had shown in withdrawing the bed from sale while investigations were carried out.
Mrs Carlin had bought the bed at an Ikea store in Nottingham.
The toddler, unable to sleep without her favourite Minnie Mouse toy, was believed to have reached through the railings after it fell on to the floor. As Millie struggled to get hold of the toy, she is thought to have slipped down and caught her neck, cutting off her oxygen supply.
By the time her mother and father, Steven, 48, found her, she was dead.
“She was never without her lullaby Minnie Mouse,” Mrs Carlin said. “She called it ‘Bubby Minnie’ and she took it everywhere with her. It was her comfort toy. If Millie wanted comfort she would suck Bubby Minnie’s ear.
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“Millie was always smiling — her face lit up every room she walked into. She was a very happy little girl. Everyone used to tell us we were so lucky to have such a placid child.”
Ikea has confirmed that it has removed the £47 Minnen bed frame from sale across its shops. An Ikea spokesman said: “This is a tragic accident and our hearts go out to the family. We have decided to withdraw the item from our store to conduct our own review of the situation.”
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Police are investigating on behalf of the Coroner. This is a tragic accident and is not being treated as suspicious.”