The Bridgeport Health Department is investigating after officials at an East Side church reported finding hundreds of hypodermic needles on parish property this week.

Eddy Michel, of Shekinah Glory First Methodist Tabernacle, says young children have been finding and playing with the needles, with at least one parent saying her 4-year-old daughter had to be treated at a local hospital after sticking herself with an insulin syringe that appeared to contain blood.

"Last week, we removed at least 150 to 200 needles that might be infected -- and we have kids that might be around the community that could pick it up, stick themselves, which can create a lot of problems for our kids right here," Michel said.

State Sen. Herron Gaston says he alerted the Bridgeport Health Department upon learning of the situation.

"The Bridgeport Health Department will have to come out and inspect what's going on here, and collect these needles in a safe fashion -- and then educate people that if you see something, you need to say something," Gaston said.