A California family has sued Target, accusing the retailer of selling a potty trainer that nearly ripped a 3-year-old’s penis off.

The Press-Enterprise reported that the Riverside family is suing Target for selling the weePOD Basix potty trainer, a product that they say Target knew was dangerous. The manufacturer, Prince Lionheart, was also listed in the lawsuit filed last week.

The boy’s parents and grandparents claimed the toddler’s penis was almost ripped completely off when it became stuck to the polypropylene potty trainer. The child was rushed to the hospital, where doctors glued his appendage back on because the area was too delicate for stitches, attorney John Kristensen told the newspaper.

“People go to Target assuming the products they sell aren’t going to mutilate a toddler’s genitals,”  Kristensen said.

“This kid’s scarred for life.”

KCBS reported that the family said Prince Lionheart and Target were aware of similar complaints dating back to 2015 but continued to sell the product.

“Target and Prince Lionheart knew there were problems with this defective potty-training device, knew of prior complaints but refused to take the product off the shelf. They had a duty to warn customers about the dangers of their WeePOD product,” Kristensen told the station.

“Their failure to do so was reckless and led directly to the mutilation of my client.”

Despite the recent lawsuit, the product is still available to purchase on Target’s website. Target spokeswoman Jenna Reck told The Press-Enterprise that their legal team is currently reviewing the claim.

She said in a statement, “We take product safety incredibly seriously, are committed to providing safe products to our guests and require our vendors to follow all product safety laws and CPSC guidelines for the products they sell at Target.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for negligence, product liability from a defective design that caused personal injury, and failing to recall the product or disclose the trainer’s risks to parents.

[Featured Image: Mike Mozart/Flickr]