Fuschillo, Local Parents Celebrate New Drop-Side Crib Ban

State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., R-Merrick, recently joined with the Witte and Cirigliano families, who each lost children to drop-side cribs, in applauding the new federal drop-side crib ban last week.

Merrick residents Michele and Henning Witte lost their son, Tyler Jonathan, when he became entrapped by the drop side of his defectively-designed crib 13 years ago.

Susan and Robert Cirigliano, of North Bellmore, also lost their son, Bobby, in a drop-side crib incident in 2004.

“The Witte and Cirigliano families, who have endured an unthinkable tragedy, have fought tirelessly to protect other children from being harmed by drop-side cribs," Fuschillo said. "Thanks to their efforts, drop-side cribs were banned throughout New York State and are now banned throughout the country. This is a great day for them and I congratulate them on a job well done."

The new federal drop-side crib ban prevents the manufacture, sale, and resale of drop-side cribs. New York State banned the sale, import, manufacture, and distribution of drop-side cribs last October under a law sponsored by Fuschillo.