Does It Get Any Sicker Than This ?

I have to wonder if a person can get any sicker or more depraved than the individual (or group) that committed this crime. The only possible reason for the crime is to get off on seeing a child suffer, and to me, torturing a child is even lower than anything done to an adult.

A doctor in the Brazilian city of Ibotirama found as many as 50 sewing needles stuck inside the body of a 2 year-old child. The boy's mother had taken him to the hospital, saying he was complaining of pain. She says she doesn't know how the needles got into her child, and the step-father and father of the child also say they don't know how it could have happened.

Dr. Luiz Cesar Soltoski says it could not have been an accident, such as the child swallowing the needles. The needles are widely spread throughout the body (see picture), from the lungs to the legs. Since some are in the lungs, they will have to wait until the child can breathe better before trying to remove the needles. But not all can be removed, since some are either in or too close to vital organs.

Both the doctor and the police say the needles were intentionally pushed into the child's body. So far, the police have no idea who did the crime. Police Inspector Helder Fernandes Santana said, "It's clear someone inserted the needles, that's for sure. We still don't know who did this."

That's just not good enough. The person who committed this crime must be found and punished severely. This is not a person that should be free and living among decent citizens (with possible access to other children). And until the person is found, the child should be removed from that home (if he survives).

UPDATE -- Police have now arrested the step-father. He broke down after being arrested and admitted he did it to get back at his wife. His mistress had told him to do it in a "black magic" ritual. I hope they're planning to arrest her also. And I see no reason for leniency with either one. (NOTE -- Doctors have revised the number of needles from 50 down to 40, but the child is still in serious condition.)