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Boston Kindergartner Stuck With Needle At School

BOSTON (CBS) - Kristen Torres wants her son not to worry, but she can only worry about her oldest son. Charlie, 6, was pricked by a used needle on the grounds of his school.

"He's only 6 and he had to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis C," said Torres.

His kindergarten class at Ellis Elementary School in Roxbury was collecting leaves for a composting project on Monday. Charlie picked up a pile where there was a used needle. It drew blood and left him with two needle pricks on his palm.

"We have to be careful. Our children need to be safe at home, as well as, at school. And, I don't feel safe bringing my child to school anymore," said Torres.

Charlie Torres
Charlie, 6, was stuck by a needle at a Boston school (WBZ-TV)

Torres said it wasn't until she raised concern with an EMT that the needle was found later that night. She said the school needs to do a better job keeping the grounds safe and communicating with parents. According to Torres, the school did not send out a voicemail to students until Wednesday.

"I would think any parent would want to know because it might not be the only one," said Torres.

Charlie's test results come back next week. Torres was told he is at a very low risk of contracting anything from the needle.

"Whether it's low-risk or high-risk, there should be no risk," said Torres.

Charlie Torres
Charlie points to where he was stuck with needle (WBZ-TV)

She said Charlie will not return to school there and the family is moving to another city.

Boston Public Schools released the following statement:

A student of the Ellis Elementary School recently reported to a teacher that he may have been in contact with a needle while on school property. The student's parent was contacted by the school nurse, and advised to have the child examined by medical professionals as a precaution.

The school immediately contacted the Boston Public Health Commission, which sent its Mobile Sharps Unit to carefully search for any needles. One needle was found and properly discarded.

The Mobile Sharps Unit and the school's custodial staff searched the school grounds again before students' arrival Wednesday and did not find any additional needles. The Boston Police Department will also add patrols to deter any suspicious activity.

Boston Public Schools take this incident very seriously. The school will do everything it can to educate its students about the dangers of needles and prevent such an incident from reoccurring.

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