Are shield boosters still legal?

[genlisaann]

This is a question for Julie...

My sister has her 5 year old daughter (who weighs more than 40 lbs) using a shield booster (backless) in the center position of the backseat of her car (lap belt only), since her other 2 children (ages 7 & 9) sit on the ends with the lap/shoulder belts. Is it still legal to use this type of booster? If it is still legal, does anyone still make this type (because the booster belonged to the 9 year old)? I need to get my ducks in a row before I talk to her. Thank you!

[Joolsplus2]

Still made and sold? No. Legal? Yes. Recalled? Possibly. Completely inappropriate for a child over 40 pounds with the shield? Yup. The shield is only from 30-40 pounds (or maybe 20-40, if it's really old).
This page has heaps of info, including alternatives, like a harness you can add and bigger seats, and hopefully you'll be able to steer her to something safer.. http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/shieldbooster.aspx

Good luck, I hope she takes the bad news well. Write back if you need to, this could be a tricky situation for ahwile, till there's a good plan of action in place.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[genlisaann]

Thank you Julie, for all of your help! What a great website for information...I plan to email the link to my sister, with a note to read the section on options for kids over 40lbs. Thanks again, for helping me get my ducks in a row =).