AEGiS-AP: Needle Found in New Shoe at Wal-Mart

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Needle Found in New Shoe at Wal-Mart

Associated Press - Tuesday November 11, 2003

SALT LAKE CITY - The mother of a 5-year-old boy who says he was pricked by a hypodermic needle left inside a shoe at Wal-Mart wants the world's largest discount retailer to pay for his HIV and hepatitis tests.

So far, Becky Pidcock has not heard from the Bentonville, Ark.-based company about her request made last week, and Pidcock said Monday she's upset.

Nathan Pidcock's initial blood test at a hospital indicated he does not have either disease, Pidcock said, but he'll need follow-up blood sampling for the next year.

A Wal-Mart spokesman told a Salt Lake television station on Saturday that its claims department would have to resolve the matter. Wal-Mart officials did not return a message left Monday by The Associated Press.

All other shoes at the same Wal-Mart were checked, and no other needles were found, according to KUTV.

Nathan's toe was pricked by a 3-inch needle. He didn't tell his mother right away, putting the needle in his pocket instead, she said. He showed it to her the next morning, and she rushed him to the hospital.

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