Amazon Smart Lock Lawsuit Filed After Auto-Lock Failure Allegedly Led to Child’s Drowning

Complaint alleges Amazon had received consumer reviews reporting similar failures involving Smonet locks before the 18-month-old child’s death.

A Florida mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging a defective Smonet smart lock sold through Amazon failed to automatically secure the front door of a home, allowing her 18-month-old son to get outside unattended and drown in a nearby lake.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Lauryn Fielding, as personal representative of the estate of A.D., in Florida Circuit Court for Broward County on August 19. It names Amazon.com Inc., Amazon.com Services LLC, Amazon.com Sales Inc., Guangzhou Shengyi Chuangdian Electronic Commerce Co. Ltd., Hongling Smart Link LLC and Safesky Smart Link Co. Limited as defendants.

Amazon removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 15, arguing that the federal court has jurisdiction because the parties are citizens of different states or countries and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. Amazon denies the allegations.

Fielding claims the Smonet lock was defectively designed because its auto-lock feature could fail to actually engage the deadbolt or secure the door, while providing no meaningful warning that the entry remained unlocked.

Amazon Smart Lock Wrongful Death Allegations

According to the complaint, Fielding’s mother purchased the Smonet Smart Keyless Entry Door Lock through Amazon on or about February 1, 2025, for the front door of her Pembroke Pines, Florida residence.

The product listing allegedly promoted the lock as providing “added security” through an auto-lock feature that could be programmed to engage between five and 900 seconds after the door was unlocked. The listing also allegedly used the phrase “No Worries” when describing the feature.

On November 30, 2025, Fielding arrived at the residence with her 18-month-old son and closed the front door behind her. Based on prior experience with the lock, she says she relied on the auto-lock feature to secure the door. However, the lawsuit alleges the deadbolt failed to properly secure the entrance and the lock provided no audible, visual, electronic or mobile notification indicating that the door remained unlocked.

Fielding says her son then went into a bedroom where another adult was present, while she went to another room believing the child remained with that adult. A short time later, after she could no longer hear him, she began searching the home and discovered the front door open.

Surveillance footage later showed A.D. walking away from the residence, crossing the street by himself and appearing to follow ducks in the roadway, according to the complaint.

Another adult found the child in a lake across the street and pulled him from the water before beginning CPR. Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue transported A.D. to Memorial West Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Broward County Medical Examiner later ruled the death an accidental drowning.

Fielding alleges the tragedy could have been prevented if the lock had reliably engaged the deadbolt or warned users when the door remained unsecured.

The complaint identifies several alleged design problems, including the absence of technology capable of confirming that the deadbolt actually entered the strike plate, detecting whether a door was fully closed or aligned, and preventing the lock from creating the appearance of a successful locking event when the door remained unsecured.

The lawsuit also alleges Amazon had information suggesting the problem was not isolated. According to the filing, consumer reviews submitted to Amazon reported similar failures involving the Smonet lock and substantially similar models, including problems with the auto-lock feature and failures to reliably secure doors.

Despite those complaints, Fielding alleges Amazon continued to market and sell the lock without adequate warnings, failed to sufficiently investigate the reported problems and failed to remove, suspend or recall the product.

“As a direct and foreseeable result of the subject Smonet lock’s defective and unreasonably dangerous condition, A.D. was able to exit the residence through the front door, reach the nearby lake, and drown.”

— Lauryn Fielding v. Amazon.com Inc. et al.

The lawsuit raises strict product liability and negligence claims against Amazon and separate product liability claims against the companies allegedly involved in designing, manufacturing and distributing the Smonet lock.

Fielding seeks damages under the Florida Wrongful Death Act on behalf of her son’s estate and surviving parents, including medical and funeral expenses, loss of support and services, and mental pain and suffering.

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