My Experience at Kohl’s and What You Need to Know About Your Rights
Advocacy isn’t always easy, and standing up for what’s right can sometimes lead to unexpected challenges. As a mother, child advocate, and aspiring investigative journalist, I recently had an unsettling encounter at a Kohl’s department store while questioning the safety of their products. What started as a simple inquiry turned into an incident involving harassment, threats, and the possibility of legal retaliation.
Here’s the full story, what I’ve learned about my rights, and what you can take away from this experience.
What Happened at Kohl’s
While shopping at Kohl’s, I noticed something alarming: compromised Barbie dolls on the shelves. Mattel’s Wicked Barbie’s with a porn website listed on it. These products, intended for children, had clear defects that should have prompted a recall and fully pulling them off shelves.
When I asked the store manager about the issue, she explained that Kohl’s corporate had instructed staff to cover the problem with stickers and sharpies—a troubling response that bypasses consumer safety laws. As a mother and advocate, I couldn’t stay silent.
To protect myself and document this troubling situation, I recorded the conversation. It’s important to note that this occurred in a public space—a department store—where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
The Harassment and Escalation
After my conversation with the manager, I prepared to leave the store. That’s when an assistant manager approached me, and things escalated quickly.
Despite knowing I was recording, the assistant manager spoke loudly and gave her full name, even spelling her last name clearly for everyone to hear. Her tone became increasingly hostile as she raised her voice, harassed me, and warned me not to return to the property. She went as far as to say, “Don’t try me,” and threatened to trespass me if I ever came back.
Under duress and in shock, I responded my voice and hands unsteady, saying, “Great. I’m glad you like child pornography then,” and left the store. What I meant to say and what I actually said did not match up but that never happens when someone is under duress. 🤦🏽♀️ Even in the video my hands were shaking and I ended the recording because I was so beside myself. 😑 Obviously I don’t know if she likes that stuff. I hope and pray not.
What Happened Next
After leaving the store, I shared a video of the interaction on social media to shed light on Kohl’s troubling policies and practices. To protect identities, I blurred all faces and name tags in the footage.
Despite these precautions, the assistant manager is now threatening to sue me for defamation. Her threats feel like an attempt to silence my advocacy and distract from the real issue: compromised children’s products being sold in stores. Don’t get me started on the manufacturer, Mattel. But retailers have an equal responsibility here.
Know Your Rights: Recording Laws in Florida
In Florida, recording laws fall under the Florida Security of Communications Act (§ 934.02 & § 934.03). These laws generally require the consent of all parties for recording private conversations. However, here’s the key:
• Public Spaces: In public spaces like department stores, there’s no reasonable expectation of privacy. Conversations conducted openly, where others can hear, are generally not considered private.
• Your Rights: Recording interactions in public spaces is typically lawful, especially for accountability or personal protection.
In this case, my recording was made in a public area where privacy was not expected. Additionally, the assistant manager willingly gave her name and even spelled it out after she knew I was recording my interaction demonstrating her full awareness of the recording.
Florida Trespassing Laws: Am I at Risk?
After being harassed and warned not to return, I wanted to understand if I could be charged with trespassing in Florida. Here’s what I learned under Florida Statute § 810.08:
1. Trespass Requires Entry or Remaining After Being Warned:
You can only be charged with trespassing if you enter or stay on a property after being explicitly warned not to.
2. What Happened in My Case:
I left the property immediately after being asked to do so. The assistant manager’s warning that I would be trespassed if I returned does not constitute a trespassing offense unless I physically re-enter the store.
3. No Plans to Return:
Since I have no intention of returning to Kohl’s, there is no legal basis for trespassing charges.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
This experience has been a powerful reminder of the challenges that come with advocacy. Here are a few key lessons:
1. Document Everything: Whether through recordings, notes, or photos, always document interactions that could impact your rights or safety.
2. Know the Law: Research local laws on recording and trespassing to ensure you’re acting within your rights.
3. Advocate Responsibly: Take precautions like blurring identities and avoiding defamatory statements when sharing certain content publicly.
The Hidden Dangers of Children Accessing Adult Websites
One of the greatest risks to children in today’s digital age is exposure to adult content online. When a child inadvertently or deliberately visits an adult website, the consequences can be far-reaching. Such exposure can lead to confusion, fear, or even desensitization to harmful content. In some cases, these websites may expose children to inappropriate material that distorts their understanding of relationships, boundaries, and personal safety.
Moreover, adult websites often contain harmful content such as explicit imagery, exploitative material, or dangerous messaging. For a child, accessing such material at a young age can interfere with healthy emotional and psychological development. It’s not just a matter of moral concern; it’s a significant safety issue that underscores the importance of vigilant parental supervision and corporate responsibility in creating safer consumer products and online environments.
This is why issues like compromised children’s products and corporate negligence are so critical—they open the door for children to access inappropriate material or engage with unsafe items that could further endanger them.
Final Thoughts
Advocacy often comes with pushback, but standing up for children’s safety and consumer accountability is non-negotiable. While the threats of legal retaliation are unsettling, they won’t deter me from exposing practices that put children at risk.
If you’ve ever faced similar challenges for speaking up, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s stand together for transparency, safety, and accountability.
Call to Action
Let’s make a difference together. Share this blog post, comment with your thoughts, or reach out to join the conversation. Advocacy starts with awareness, and your voice matters.
Let me know if this version captures your voice and if you’d like further edits!