Authorities hunt for man who allegedly doused baby with piping hot coffee in unprovoked attack

An international manhunt is underway after a shocking incident in Brisbane, Australia, where a 9-month-old boy was left with severe burns from an unprovoked attack.

On August 27, the child, Luka, was sitting with his mother at Hanlon Park when a man approached them and poured scalding coffee on the infant.

The perpetrator fled the scene, sparking a massive police investigation that has now gone global.

The details of the horrifying attack have emerged gradually.

Queensland Police issued a press release confirming the incident and revealing that the boy suffered severe burns to his face, arms, and legs.

Emergency services were immediately called to the park, and Luka was rushed to the hospital, where he reportedly underwent multiple surgeries.

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According to CNN, the burns were extensive, affecting his chin, neck, chest, and back. Luka has since been released from the hospital, but the emotional and physical toll on his family remains.

Queensland Police are actively investigating the case, and early efforts were made to locate the suspect.

They released CCTV footage that captured the man fleeing the scene, wearing a blue plaid shirt, black hat, and glasses.

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton of the Queensland Police explained the case’s complexity, noting that the suspect, a 33-year-old foreign national, had evaded authorities through counter-surveillance tactics.

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According to CNN, the man fled Australia on August 31, four days after the attack, complicating the investigation.

Initial attempts to identify the suspect were hampered by false information. Still, by September 1, police could confirm the man’s identity, although they have chosen not to disclose his name publicly.

Detective Dalton expressed frustration, saying, “I was in the investigation centre when we put a name to the face, and it was a very happy room, only for us to do a check-in 15 minutes and find out we lost him.”

As per Queensland Police, the man is believed to be an itinerant worker who had been in and out of Australia on various visas since 2019, most recently entering the country in January 2022.

The suspect’s movements after the attack have been pieced together through surveillance footage and witness accounts.

According to police reports, the man took a taxi to Brisbane’s city centre before crossing the state border into New South Wales.

From there, he boarded a flight from Sydney Airport on August 31.

Authorities believe the man was aware of police methods and actively tried to evade detection, making the investigation particularly challenging.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

As per Detective Dalton, “I’m continually scratching my head. We can’t find a motive.”

He emphasized that the nature of the crime—a seemingly random act of violence against an innocent child—makes it even more perplexing.

Police have been unable to determine any prior connection between the man and the victim’s family.

According to the boy’s mother, the attack was sudden and chaotic.

Speaking to local media, she recalled the terrifying moments, saying, “I didn’t really understand what had happened at the time, but I just started screaming for help and yelling out that it was hot and that my son was burnt.”

Onlookers at Hanlon Park quickly rushed to assist, bringing water to cool Luka’s burns before emergency services arrived.

The neighbourhood has been left in shock, with many struggling to comprehend how such an act could transpire.

Queensland Police will continue to work with national and international agencies to locate the suspect, who is believed to have left Australia.

Authorities have not disclosed his current location but are determined to bring him to justice.

The attack has sparked widespread concern in Queensland and across Australia.

The release of CCTV footage was a crucial step in the investigation, with Detective Dalton urging anyone who recognizes the man to come forward.

“The footage is quite clear. I’m very confident that if you’re looking at that footage and you know that person in there, you’re going to know who it is,” he said.

Despite the progress in identifying the suspect, the road ahead for Luka and his family is long.

The boy’s recovery from such severe burns will likely take time, and the psychological impact of the attack is significant.