Babysuits in kidnap ‘joke’ row withdrawn

Furious Kerry Grist, 39, was shocked when she was told by a friend about items on sale online by baby specialist Kiddicare.

The suits, in a range of colours, say in bold print on the front: “Help I’m being kidnapped, these are not my real parents”.

But the joke fell flat when it was shown to Kerry, whose son Ben was snatched on the Greek island of Kos 20 years ago, aged 21 months.

For two decades she has searched and campaigned tirelessly to trace Ben, who would have celebrated his 22nd birthday last October.

The youngster was snatched as he played outside the farmhouse being renovated by his grandparents while his mother was working at a local hotel.

There have been hundreds of “sightings” of Ben but he has never been found.

His mother, from Ecclesfield Sheffield, said: “I was absolutely stunned.

“They are in bad taste and should not be on sale. I think it’s outrageous and disgusting.”

She tweeted about the clothing, urging parents to contact the firm to pressure it to stop selling them suits. “You can contact them to express ur disgust at this item at @kiddicare or on FB at facebook.com/kiddicare PLEASE WITHDRAW IT FROM SALE!”

The Peterborough-based company, the UK’s largest baby store which opened in 1974, said yesterday that it had withdrawn the clothing, produced by the company Kids Rock, from sale.

A Kiddicare spokesperson said: “We apologise profusely for any offence caused. It was unintentional.”