SÃO PAULO — A 2-year-old boy has as many as 50 metal sewing needles inside his body, apparently stuck there one by one, a doctor treating him said Wednesday. Brazilian media said the boy’s former stepfather was detained.
Dr. Luiz Cesar Soltoski said surgeons hope to remove most of the needles — some as long as 2 inches — but those in the lungs will have to wait until the child’s breathing improves.
Some needles cannot be removed, as they are too close to vital organs or even inside organs.
The boy’s mother, a maid, took him to a hospital in a small city last Thursday, saying he was complaining of pain. Three days later, after X-rays revealed many of the needles, doctors moved him to a larger hospital in a nearby city.
The police inspector in charge of the case, told the Agencia Estado news agency that a black-magic ritual was among the possible motives police were looking into.
