Yunnan Mother Probed for Needle 'Treatment' on Infant

A mother in southwest China's Yunnan Province is under police investigation for allegedly repeatedly piercing her 10-month-old son with needles as a form of folk "bloodletting" treatment, local authorities confirmed Wednesday.

The case drew widespread attention after an online video by a spine surgeon Sui Wenyuan detailed the alleged abuse. According to the video, the mother, surnamed Dao, would pierce the infant with needles when he was disobedient or showed signs of fever or cold. The video claimed the child's body bore hundreds of needle marks and that a broken needle had become lodged in his neck, requiring surgical removal.

The video showed numerous needle marks with dark scabs on the infant's feet, head, and torso. Dr. Sui stated that the police had been notified and were handling the case.

In a statement issued Wednesday, a joint task force in Mojiang County, Yunnan, provided an official account. The boy was hospitalized on December 16, 2025, with fever and convulsions. Doctors found multiple needle wounds and a suspected metal fragment in his body.

He was transferred to a children's hospital in the provincial capital Kunming on December 22 for surgery and treatment, and was discharged on January 9. Authorities said the child is now recovering under his father's care and is receiving rehabilitation support.

The investigation found that the injuries resulted from the mother's use of folk "needle-pricking" methods. Dao, described as having limited education and scientific health knowledge, exhibited signs of emotional anxiety but was assessed with no psychotic symptoms.