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Hasbro removes doll after complaints it grooms children for abuse

Paul Edward Parker
Providence Journal Staff Writer

PAWTUCKET — Hasbro says they designed a cute “Trolls” doll to giggle when she is placed in a sitting position.

But an online petition at change.org says that the button between the doll’s legs that activates the sounds “is conditioning our children to think pedophilia is OK.”

The DreamWorks Trolls World Tour Giggle and Sing Poppy was made by the Pawtucket-based company, which said Wednesday that it is pulling the item from the marketplace.

“This Trolls World Tour doll named Poppy has a button on her private area under her skirt. When you push this button on the doll’s private she gasps and giggles,” says the online petition by Jessica McManis. “This is not okay for a child’s toy! This toy needs to be removed from our stores. What will this toy make our innocent, impressionable children think? That it’s fun when someone touches your private area?”

The petition is aimed at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Dollar General and Family Dollar Stores.

“This feature was designed to react when the doll was seated, but we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate,” Hasbro spokeswoman Julie Duffy said Wednesday afternoon in an email to The Providence Journal. “This was not intentional and we are happy to provide consumers with a replacement Poppy doll of similar value through our consumer care team. We are in the process of removing the item for purchase.”