Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe 'Tanorexic' doll parodies tan mom Krentcil OXFORD, Conn., May 10 (UPI) -- A Connecticut company has created an action figure based on Patricia Krentcil, the woman accused of allowing her 6-year-old to join her in a tanning bed. Advertisement Herobuilders.com, based in Oxford, released the Tanorexic Doll this week based on Krentcil, 44, who became infamous for her deep tan after appearing in court on a child endangerment charge for allegedly allowing her 6-year-old daughter to tan with her, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Wednesday. "We just typically look at media hits on stories that captivate the nation," said Emil Vicale, president of Herobuilders. "I hate to say it, but this is one of those." Richard Krentcil, the woman's husband, said his wife did not give permission for her likeness to be used and she has not received any cash from sales of the $29.95 doll. Advertisement "I'm going to see what my lawyer says," Krentcil said. "I'm sure it will be rectified shortly." Legal experts said Herobuilders is likely protected under parody laws and has not used Krentcil's name on the doll's packaging or its Web site. -0- Prisoners crochet for charity LEBANON, Ohio, May 10 (UPI) -- A group of 15 inmates at an Ohio maximum security prison have joined a "Real Men Crochet" program to make mittens, hats and other items for charity. Jan Vurginac, who coordinates the program for prisoners at Lebanon Correctional Institution in Warren County, said the club started in 2008 and has since gained popularity among inmates eligible for extra privileges, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday. "Time goes by quick and they enjoy doing it for the children. It keeps them busy. Idle time is a big problem," Vurginac said. The items made by the men are donated to groups including women's and homeless shelters, maternity programs, the Crayons to Computers free store for teachers in Cincinnati and the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Robert Mack, who killed a Mount Airy man in a 2007 shootout, said crocheting gives him a positive way to pass his time in the prison. Advertisement "It takes up a lot of my time. It gives me something to do to keep myself active knowing that we helping people … to stay out of trouble," Mack said. Police: Girl dumped milk on co-worker CRESTVIEW, Fla., May 10 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said they arrested a young woman accused of hitting a co-worker and pouring milk on his head after he taunted her during a choking episode. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said the suspect, a juvenile whose name and age were not released, was eating a granola bar during her break at an unidentified business when she had difficulties swallowing and a co-worker began chanting "choke, choke," nwfdailynews.com reported Wednesday. Witnesses told deputies the chanting sent the girl into a rage, leading her to hit the unidentified co-worker on the shoulder and dump milk over his head. Deputies said the girl admitted attacking the other worker. Man: Smuggled lizards a 'food supply' MUNICH, Germany, May 10 (UPI) -- Authorities in Germany said a man stopped at an airport with 49 lizards in his suitcase told customs officers he planned to eat them. The customs office at Munich airport said officers found the lizards, including 31 spiny-tailed lizards and 18 geckos, during a routine security check when the man arrived from Oman. He told the agents the reptiles were his "personal food supply" and offered to bite one of their heads off to prove it, The Local reported Wednesday. Advertisement "Of course we stopped him doing that," a customs spokesman said. The spokesman said officers are skeptical of the man's lizard-eating claims. "He was going to eat the lizard right there," the spokesman said. "But they are worth several hundred euros each on the black market, so he might have wanted to sell them." Authorities said the man is likely to be fined several thousand dollars for transporting protected animals. The lizards were seized and taken to a veterinarian for care.
