GHETTO DOLLS NOT QUITE IN CABBAGE PATCH MODE

New York --- Each doll comes with its own tale of woe.

There's New York Sammy, whose father was a drug dealer peddling Ecstasy to
children.

There's East L.A. Lupe, abandoned by her mother after her father died in a
gang shooting.

There's Confederate Tammy, a homeless girl from Nashville who was sold to a
lawyer by her mother, a waitress who became pregnant after a fling with a
truck driver.

With these personal histories, there's no mistaking Ghetto Kids Dolls for
Cabbage Patch Dolls --- which come with their own adoption papers --- at
this week's American International Toy Fair, the toy industry's biggest
trade show.

Since they were unveiled on the Internet in September, Chicago businessman
Tommy Perez, founder of Teddi's Toys, has sold hundreds of the $40 dolls.

But the father of two girls, ages 5 and 8, brought his dolls to the toy
fair this week because he says it's time to get them on store shelves.

''I'm going to sink or swim with this doll,'' said Perez, 55, who is of
Mexican and Native American descent.

Critics have said the seven Ghetto Kids dolls pander to racial stereotypes
and that some of the personal histories are too harsh for young children.

For example, San Juan Carmen was left to fend for herself in a crack house
by her drug dealer father and heroin-addicted prostitute mother.

Wearing clothes with holes, each doll is packaged with a small garbage can
and a sticker that reads: ''Ghetto Kids live on the street. Provide them
with the home they need.''

Originally Perez had included the personal histories in the dolls'
packaging, but following criticism he transferred the stories to the Internet.

''Originally we made the doll to be somewhat controversial, and perhaps in
our haste we created too much controversy,'' Perez said.

He insists the dolls' stories are realistic ones that will help parents
communicate with their children on important issues such as alcoholism,
homelessness and gang violence.

Perez's project director, Freddy Nawrot Jr., said the dolls prompt children
to ask questions.

''We have a new Jewish doll coming out named Benji Schwartz that will cause
children to ask questions about the Jewish faith, and so this is something
that can clear up misconceptions,'' he said.