Heartbroken mum issues warning after her baby died having eaten a bath toy

A HEARTBROKEN mum has issued an urgent safety warning after her baby died having eaten a bath toy.

Distraught parent Taylor Bethard called for a ban on water beads following the death of her 10-month-old daughter Esther Jo Bethard.

Mum-of-five Taylor described how her baby managed to swallow one of the toys during bath time while the family remained unaware.

The tragic tot died on July 7, a day after being first taken ill - only seven weeks away from her first birthday.

The small absorbent crystals are often used for flower arrangements and in agriculture but have also become popular as bath toys.

But now Taylor and her family say water beads should no longer be advertised and sold as something fun for children.

The mum, from the US state of Wisconsin, described how symptoms of swallowing the beads can be like having a stomach bug.

They can also swell inside the body and block vital internal tubes.

Taylor told : "Water beads should be banned or recalled and no longer allowed to be marketed as a children's toy."

She said she "never would've allowed my older kids to play with them" if knowing of the potential health risks.

She added:  "At the minimum water beads need to have the appropriate warnings about the life-threatening dangers, which is not limited to choking."

Taylor also paid tribute to her daughter as someone loved by her siblings and who had a "big smile that brightened up the whole room" - as well as "beautiful blue eyes and curly red hair".

The mum added: "When I say she was adored, I truly mean she was adored and fiercely loved by everyone."

A GoFundMe page has been to help with the costs of Esther's funeral and has so far attracted almost £2,500 in donations.

The Consumer Public Safety Commission in the US said they were "aware of this tragic death" and looking into it.

They added: "We have been working with industry to improve the relevant standards for these products and are considering additional rule-making options should they not do so in a timely manner."

An Irish doctor identified water beads as among the five most dangerous gifts to buy for children last Christmas.

First aiders released a video showing the damage they can do.

And a mum told how swallowing a water bead gave her baby girl a nasty infection which could have left her with brain damage.