Police have revealed they know the identity of the man suspected of pouring hot coffee on a nine-month-old baby boy at a park in southeast Brisbane in August as they reveal the child will have lifelong injuries due to the attack.
Baby Luka and his mother were picnicking in Hanlon Park at about midday on August 27 when a stranger tipped a thermos of hot coffee over the baby and fled.
The infant, now 10 months old, suffered serious burns to his face, upper body and arms and has endured multiple surgeries at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
A warrant is out for the arrest of the accused attacker, believed to be a 33-year-old Chinese national, who remains on the run overseas after fleeing the country at the end of August.
Now one of Queensland’s top cops has confirmed authorities know the identity of the suspect after his name was released by Chinese media.
Acting assistant police commissioner Andrew Massingham told 4BC on Thursday authorities were “committed to finding the individual responsible” for the alleged attack.
“Our international search continues for the person that committed that horrendous crime,” he said.
Mr Massingham also told the station the child would have “injuries for life” after the attack.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said they were “unable to provide any further information or context around this investigation at this time.”
They also “strongly advised” against publishing information sensitive to ongoing enquiries, including the name, at the risk of compromising the investigation and locating the person of interest.
Luka’s parents, who wish to remain anonymous, said they want more information about the attacker and the police investigation to be released.
“We would just like a bit of assurance that we are on the right track, and (that the offender) is going to get caught,” the father told 7NEWS.
Queensland Police acting commissioner Shane Chelepy told 7NEWS the limited release of information was strategic.
Luka’s mother, who had revealed she had panic attacks after the attack, said her baby boy seemed like his happy self again.
”He’s really strong and resilient and brave,” she told 7NEWS.
She told local media that, despite the outpouring of support from the public, she was still “very angry” that the alleged assailant had fled the country and feared he could hurt someone else.
“I think the whole of Australia, especially a lot of mums and people with children, are furious and angry and really want this guy caught,” the mother told KIIS 97.3 radio.
“I am very angry and saddened that this has happened … and that we have to wait maybe years to get justice.
“My main focus is my son, but this guy does come into my thoughts all the time because I just get really, really angry that he could do such a thing to a defenceless baby.”
She said she wants the man to return to Australia “for justice”.
“I don’t want him to just get away with this and to live a normal life wherever he is because we’re going to be living in trauma for a number of years to come.
