Secretive Tylenol Recall Kills Child

Ellensburg, Washington - Due to what's being called a “stealth recall” the company Johnson and Johnson may be responsible for the death of a two-year-old.

Daniel and Kathy Moore are suing the company after the July 2010 death of their son. River Moore died after consuming tainted Children's Tylenol that fatally damaged his liver after he coughed up blood. The couple claims the company quietly purchased the bottles instead of issuing a recall to the public.

The family's lawyer, Joseph Messa, said "extensive testing done on River before and after his death ruled out viruses or other conditions as the cause."

Proof of the company's plot rests with several internal email between the executives of McNeil Consumer Healthcare, one of the other companies named in the suit. One of them praises the secretive plan's success, stating “This was a major win for us as it limits the press that will be seen.”

The lawsuit states “Defendant Johnson & Johnson, a Fortune 50 Company with $60 billion in annual sales, knew of defects, impurities and contamination in the children's drugs and, yet, embarked on a ‘phantom’ or ‘stealth’ recall of these drugs to hide these problems so the general public, ignorant of the dangers, would continue buying and administering these brand name drugs to their children.”

Some of the other companies named in the suit are Costco, three Johnson and Johnson subsidiaries, consumer health business head Collen Goggins,and the retailers and distributors of the medication.  The charges are of recklessness, negligence, breach of warranty, infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy amongst others. 

Johnson and Johnson contest, saying their actions were a precautionary measure and the potential for serious medical events is remote" but consumers who purchased the products should discontinue use.