December 22, 2025 – A tragic incident involving a 1-month-old infant has raised serious concerns about the safe use of car seats and aftermarket accessories, particularly when combined with loose blankets. The infant was found unresponsive after being left unattended in a car seat with a headrest and blankets, including one pulled over their head, according to an incident report.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 25, 2025, a 1-month-old infant was placed in a car seat by a grandmother around 6 pm. The infant had a headrest around their neck, and the chest and bottom buckles were secured. Three thin blankets were loosely tucked around the infant, over the buckled straps. The grandmother then took the infant outside. According to a DCFS narrative, a blanket was pulled over the infant’s head to protect them from the cold weather while outdoors. It is unknown if the car seat was securely attached to a stroller, as the car seat and stroller components reportedly came from different resources. Approximately 20 minutes later, upon returning inside, the mother found the infant unresponsive in the same position, with blood coming from their nose. Emergency services were called, and the infant was transported to the emergency department, where they were pronounced deceased. A SUIDI form indicated that the blankets were not obstructing the infant’s airways.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights critical safety risks associated with car seat use, especially when combined with aftermarket products and loose blankets. The primary concerns include:
- Suffocation and Positional Asphyxia: While the SUIDI form noted blankets were not obstructing airways, the presence of a headrest around the neck, multiple loose blankets, and a blanket pulled over the infant’s head collectively increase the risk of suffocation or positional asphyxia. Soft objects can conform to an infant’s face, blocking their nose and mouth, or cause their head to fall into a position that compromises their airway.
- Overheating: Covering an infant’s head and body with multiple blankets, even in cold weather, can lead to overheating, which is a known risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Infants regulate temperature differently than adults and can quickly overheat.
- Unattended Sleep in Car Seats: Car seats are designed for transportation, not for extended sleep, especially when unsupervised. When infants sleep in car seats, their heads can fall forward, compressing their airways. This risk is exacerbated by soft inserts or blankets that can alter the car seat’s intended fit and support.
- Improper Use of Aftermarket Accessories: Aftermarket products like headrests or inserts, if not specifically designed for and approved by the car seat manufacturer, can interfere with the car seat’s safety features, affecting strap fit, head positioning, and overall protection.
- Interference with Car Seat Harness: Loose blankets placed over or around the infant after buckling can interfere with the proper functioning of the car seat harness. The harness needs to be snug against the infant’s body to provide optimal protection in a crash.
- Who Might Be Affected: Infants are particularly vulnerable due to their underdeveloped neck control and inability to reposition themselves if their airway becomes compromised. Caregivers, grandparents, and anyone transporting or caring for an infant in a car seat should be aware of these risks.
- Long-Term Risks: While this incident resulted in immediate tragedy, improper car seat use and the presence of loose items consistently pose a risk of serious injury or death.
What Consumers Should Do
To prevent similar tragedies and ensure the safest possible environment for infants in car seats, consumers should take the following steps:
- Always Supervise Infants: Never leave an infant unattended in a car seat, especially when sleeping or outside of a vehicle.
- Follow Car Seat Manufacturer Instructions: Adhere strictly to the car seat manufacturer’s guidelines for installation and use. Do not use aftermarket products (like headrests, inserts, or strap covers) unless they came with the car seat or are explicitly approved by the car seat manufacturer for use with that specific model.
- Avoid Loose Items: Do not place any loose blankets, pillows, towels, or other soft materials around or under an infant in a car seat. Blankets should be placed *over* the buckled harness once the child is secured, ensuring they do not obstruct the face or head.
- Ensure Clear Airways: Always ensure an infant’s face and head are completely uncovered and visible. Avoid any items that could fall over or be pulled over their mouth or nose.
- Dress Appropriately: Dress infants in layers for cold weather rather than using bulky clothing or excessive blankets that could compromise harness fit or pose a suffocation risk. A car seat-safe cover that goes over the entire car seat like a shower cap is a safer alternative to blankets tucked inside.
- Never Let Infants Sleep Unattended in Car Seats: If an infant falls asleep in a car seat, transfer them to a safe sleep surface (a firm mattress in a crib or bassinet, free of blankets and soft objects) as soon as possible.
- Check Harness Fit: Ensure the car seat harness is snug and properly positioned, with the chest clip at armpit level.
- Report Incidents: If you experience an incident involving a product, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
Cudlie Accessories LLC provided a response on December 8, 2025, expressing their deepest sympathies to the family. The company clarified that the product involved is a firm, U-shaped headrest intended for neck and head support while traveling by car, designed not to flatten or conform to a child’s face easily.
Cudlie Accessories LLC asserts that the headrest was used improperly and in a manner specifically warned against on the product’s label. They highlight that the baby was left unattended in the cold with not only the headrest but also soft blankets covering its face. The manufacturer noted widespread messaging from the CPSC and pediatric associations warning against leaving babies to sleep in car seats and leaving pillows and blankets in a baby’s sleep environment.
Cudlie Accessories LLC states that a permanent, clear warning affixed to the headrest explicitly states: “WARNING: Do not install in any way that interferes with the correct operation of your child’s car seat as determined by the car seat manufacturer. Never leave child unattended. Not for use in a crib or playpen. Do not allow infant to lie face down on this product or any padded material. Do not allow any part of this product to cover a child’s nose or mouth.”
The manufacturer concludes that the incident is neither reflective of an inherent product hazard nor a product that presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death when used as intended.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.