Baby Luka on the road to recovery after hot coffee attack, but suspect ‘years’ from day in court

The parents of a baby boy who had scalding hot coffee poured on him have shared his recovery news.

One-year-old Luka who was burnt after coffee was poured over him at a park in August.

The parents of a baby boy who had scalding hot coffee poured on him have shared new information on his challenging recovery as experts warn it could take years to bring the man responsible for it to justice.

In a rare interview, the parents of baby Luka, who suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body in a sickening attack that sent shockwaves across Australia, say the now one-year-old boy is recovering well.

Baby Luka is on the mend after the attack.

His mother says since the events of August 27, in which a random stranger poured a Thermos of hot liquid on Luka as he sat in his pram in a Stones Corner park, it has been hard to venture out.

“I try not to think about it (the day) now, because I can’t move on with my life if I keep thinking about it and working through that,” she said.

The man responsible was captured on CCTV fleeing after the attack and three days later flew out of the country from Sydney.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the man wanted for acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm, with Queensland police working with the Australian Federal Police on the global manhunt.

Luka still has the scars from the attack.

However, even if authorities are able to locate and apprehend the man, legal experts warn the extradition process could be a long and challenging one.

“The co-operation between domestic and overseas agencies is significant, and progress is being made,” QPS and AFP said in a joint statement.

His mother said it had taken time for Luka to get over the incident, but Luka was on the path to recovery.

“He didn’t have a bath for like a month when he had all the bandages, and when we poured water over his head when we had a bath, he started screaming,” she said.

“It did take a little while, but he’s still a bit wary of people. He’s become a little bit shy, so like when we go into a group situation, he’ll hide behind my legs, and it’ll just take a little while for him to warm up to everyone.”

Baby Luka in hospital after the incident.

Pictures: Supplied

She said he is now comfortable having a bath and is getting better with people once he assesses the situation.

Luka has had seven surgeries under general anaesthetic, and up until a couple weeks ago he was going to the hospital twice a week for dressing changes.

“In those first few weeks, we had no idea what his future was going to look like, especially because the burns were so significant,” Luka’s mother said.

The hunt remains for the suspect behind the attack.

“He’s healed really well and baby skin is amazing and the synthetic skin graft that they did worked really well.

His mother said Luka’s big sister was also affected by the incident and is constantly asking how he is.

“She’s very caring. If he hurts himself she’s always like, ‘Is he OK?’

“She helps moisturise him, she washes him in the shower, washes his burns. It affected her but she’s moving forward too.”

His father said he was hopeful his son would have a big future.

“We are definitely optimistic at this point, he already looks better than we ever thought,” he said.

Police are still on the lookout for the suspect behind the hot coffee attack. Picture Police Media

“Hopefully by the time he becomes a teenager you won’t even be able to see the scars anymore,” he said.

As Luka continues on the road to recovery, the man responsible remains on the run.

Nyman Gibson Miralis partner Jasmina Ceic - whose law firm specialises in extradition - said it could take years for the man to come back to Australia, if he is found.

“It could often take years to actually prepare all the documents, the affidavits, the evidence, find out where they’re located, where they live and their identities,” Ms Ceic said.

“So all those things can take years, I would say, a minimum of three years, and anywhere up to five years for the extradition process to commence.

Ms Ceic said it could be extremely complex to extradite someone as you need a level of co-operation with the other country.

Originally published as Baby Luka on the road to recovery after hot coffee attack, but suspect ‘years’ from day in court