Brewer Police Respond To Report Of Incident Involving Child Stuck By Needle On Waterfront

Authorities in one Eastern Maine town sprang into action Thursday after reports surfaced that a child had been injured by a needle on a popular walking trail.

The Brewer Police Department has responded to a reported incident of a child being stuck in the hand by a needle on the ground at the Brewer Riverwalk.

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Posting a statement on their Facebook Page, authorities acknowledged that they learned of the incident via a social media post from a local reporter. The post claimed that a discarded hypodermic needle was found by a 3-year-old as his family was walking along the Brewer waterfront, and that the needle punctured the child's hand.

The child's father immediately brought the young one to the hospital to be examined and treated. Authorities say that they have spoken with both the child's father and the reporter who brought the story to light, and will continue to dig to the bottom of this issue.

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Brewer Police Chief Chris Martin says the City has also taken steps to make sure there are no other needles on site.

"Staff from the Brewer Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Fire Department and Public Works were sent immediately to the waterfront for an extensive search for any other hazardous items such as needles. 3 other needles were found on the rocks near the shoreline and were collected. It is unknown if these needles were deposited from the Riverwalk or had been washed ashore from the river. All other areas were thoroughly searched."

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Chief Martin says the department places a high priority on the safety of those who visit the city's public spaces, and states that if folks break the law while in these spaces, they will be held responsible.