A South Carolina mother is suing Mattel after purchasing a "Wicked" fashion doll that featured a link to a pornographic website on the back of the box.

Holly Ricketson of South Carolina filed a civil lawsuit against the toy conglomerate on Tuesday, seeking a recovery of damages for her purchase of the doll and her daughter's exposure to the pornographic website.

Mattel made headlines last month following the release of its 11-inch fashion dolls based on the main characters of the new "Wicked" movie, released on Nov. 22, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. While there was nothing wrong with the singing dolls, a link printed on the back of the box led to a pornographic website. The link was supposed to direct consumers to the official landing page for the movie, but the URL was misprinted.

Mattel removed the dolls from Target and Amazon, where they had been sold, but refunds were not issued to consumers who had already purchased them. The dolls in misprinted boxes are no longer available at retailers, but unopened boxes have been resold websites like eBay. However, a Mattel spokesperson confirmed with USA TODAY that the company has re-released the fashion dolls with the correct, intended packaging.

Daughter exposed to 'hardcore' pornography, mother says

In mid-November, Ricketson purchased a Glinda "Wicked" doll for her minor daughter, per the lawsuit. After opening the box, her daughter visited the website listed on the back of the box, which led to a website with "hardcore, full on nude pornographic images depicting actual intercourse," the lawsuit states.

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The minor showed her mother and both were "horrified" by what they saw, the lawsuit continues.

Ricketson is seeking to recover damages because the doll is "adulterated, worthless and unfit for its intended and advertised age-appropriate audience," the lawsuit states. Marketing on the "Wicked" doll boxes indicates that they are suitable for children four and up.

Ricketson is suing Mattel for unjust enrichment, negligence, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, violation of California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act, violation of California's False Advertising Law and violation of California's Unfair Competition Law.

The Mattel spokesperson told USA TODAY the company does not comment on pending litigation.

"The previous misprint on the packaging in no way impacts the value or play experience provided by the product itself in the limited number of units sold before the correction," the Mattel spokesperson said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.

Lawsuit not just about 'recovering' costs

Ricketson is being represented by Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC, a class action law firm.

"This lawsuit is not just about recovering the cost of these dolls; it is about holding corporations accountable for the responsibility they have to safeguard children," lawyer Roy Willey said in a statement to USA TODAY. "When a company markets a product to young children, it has an obligation to ensure that every aspect of that product − from its design to its packaging − is free of risks to their safety and well-being."

What is 'Wicked'?

"Wicked" is a Broadway musical based on the 1995 novel, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire, which is inspired by L. Frank Baum's 1990 novel, "The Wizard of Oz." The musical debuted on Broadway in 2003.

"Wicked" is told from the perspective of Elphaba, "the Wicked Witch of the West," and Glinda, "the Good Witch," before Dorothy Gale arrives to Oz. The story follows how the witches' conflicting personalities lead to Elphaba's fall.

"Wicked" the musical is split into two acts. The recent movie release, which runs nearly three hours, encompasses act one. "Wicked Part Two" is expected to be released on Nov. 21, 2025.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].