Apple apologized today for the Baby Shaker application released in the App Store earlier this week, calling the app “deeply offensive.”

Apple had pulled the $.99 app on Wednesday following outrage from child welfare groups and advocates, as I4U reported earlier this week.

True to its name, Baby Shaker allowed users to silence a crying baby’s screams by violently shaking the iPhone.

In a statement obtained by CNET, Apple claimed, "This application was deeply offensive and should not have been approved for distribution on the App Store. When we learned of this mistake, the app was removed immediately. We sincerely apologize for this mistake and thank our customers for bringing this to our attention."

Baby Shaker creators Sikalosoft also commented about the situation on their website, claiming, “Okay, so maybe the Baby Shaker iPhone app was a bad idea. You should never shake a baby! Even on an Apple iPhone Baby Shaking application.”

[Via CNET]