Brazil toddler has 50 sewing needles inside body

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 ex-stepfather was detained.

Dr. Luiz Cesar Soltoski told The Associated Press that surgeons hope to remove most of the needles _ some as long as 2 inches (5 centimeters)_ 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, Soltoski said.

The boy's mother, a maid, took him to a hospital in the small northeastern city of Ibotirama last Thursday, saying he …