A baby girl is in intensive care in north China’s Heilongjiang Province after three needles were found stuck into her — weeks after doctors removed another from her body.

Police have launched an investigation, while the family of the two-month-old, nicknamed Guoguo, believe someone is targeting the child.

Guoguo was rushed to hospital in provincial capital Harbin on Sunday, after developing breathing difficulties.

She was moved to a children’s hospital on Monday in a life-threatening state.

Tests revealed sewing needles stuck into her abdomen and below her left armpit.

She is in an intensive care unit as her liver and a kidney had been pierced, Life Daily Post reported yesterday.

The newspaper reported that Guoguo was hospitalized on August 5 for the same reason. Then, surgeons removed a 5-centimeter sewing needle from her side.

As she was stable after surgery on that occasion, her family didn’t call police.

But with this happening a second time, Guoguo’s family are now convinced someone is intent on harming the child.

“Somebody must have done this deliberately as the three needles pierced her liver and a kidney,” said Yin Haihe, the girl’s grandfather. “We must find out who did this!”

Guoguo’s mother is reported to suspect neighbours.

Meanwhile, police in Huai’an in Jiangsu Province are investigating reports that six needles were removed from an 11-month-old girl over the past three months.

Needle crime, clearly. But rather more complex and with a foundation in deep psychological problems in someone, neighbours or the child’s family perhaps. Whatever the cause, let’s hope there is a rapid and total resolution for the sake of the poor kid.