Interstate and international agencies join Brisbane coffee assault manhunt
Police have contacted interstate and international agencies in their search for a man wanted in connection with the scalding of a baby in a Brisbane park last month.
On August 27, the boy’s mother was enjoying a picnic at Hanlon Park in Greenslopes with a friend and their two infant children when a man reportedly approached the nine-month-old and poured a Thermos of scalding coffee over him.
The infant suffered burns to his face, arms and legs, while bystanders helped his mother call emergency services.
Police appealed to the public for information about a man captured on CCTV footage running from the scene who they want to question over the incident.
The man reportedly fled to an Annerley church, changed clothes, and was believed to have caught a rideshare to Caxton Street in Milton.
Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham confirmed the search had now widened to include international and interstate agencies.
“We are talking with New South Wales, we’re talking with Victoria, and we’re talking with overseas agencies as well,” he said.
“We expect to have some further information on that on Monday or Tuesday.”
On Saturday, police were still appealing to the public for any information related to the August attack, or the whereabouts of the man suspected to have further information on the incident.
The fundraiser for the boy’s medical expenses had raised more than $144,000 on Saturday, with more than 3300 people contributing to his recovery.
He has undergone multiple operations since the attack and is scheduled for continued treatment – including skin grafts – for several more weeks.
His family announced he returned home midweek and will remain at home between treatments.
“He’s strong, he’s doing way better than I am ... he’s not letting this stop him from doing anything,” his mother told this masthead last week.
She said her son was showing signs of recovery, taking steps, laughing, and interacting with hospital staff.