Docs Extract Life-Threatening Needles From Brazil Boy

Surgeons successfully removed four sewing needles today from the lung and near the heart of a Brazilian toddler, allegedly plunged into him by his stepfather during a month-long series of bizarre rituals. The surgery lasted nearly five hours, and the 2-year-old boy was in stable condition after the procedure. Dozens more needles measuring up to 2 inches are still inside the boy's body, but the four removed were considered the most threatening to his life.

Doctors will evaluate the boy's recovery from surgery before deciding when to perform at least two more surgeries to remove more needles, she said. Police say the boy's stepfather, 30-year-old bricklayer Roberto Carlos Magalhaes, confessed to pushing supposedly "blessed" sewing needles deep into the child because his lover told him to while in trances. (More Roberto Carlos Magalhaes stories.)