Identity of man wanted over alleged hot coffee attack on baby at Stones Corner

The identity of a man suspected of fleeing overseas after pouring a hot liquid on a baby at a Brisbane park has been revealed overseas.

Queensland Police released this photo of a man suspected to have carried out the alleged attack. Now a name has been released overseas.

The identity of a man suspected of fleeing overseas after pouring a hot liquid on a baby at a Brisbane park has been revealed overseas.

Baby Luka, who is nine months old, suffered serious burns to his face and body after the man poured a Thermos of hot liquid over him on August 27 while the child was at a Stones Corner park with his mother.

A screenshot of the man’s Facebook profile.

The man was named in an overseas media report as a 33-year-old who had travelled in and out of Australia on various occasions.

The Courier-Mail has chosen not to repeat the man’s name or where he is alleged to have fled to.

The report said the man first came to Australia on a work and holiday visa before obtaining a student visa.

A screenshot of his Facebook page was posted within the article, which said the profile had been deleted shortly after the attack.

CCTV footage of a man suspected to have been involved in a hot coffee attack on a young child at Hanlon Park, Stones Corner in August. Picture: QLD Police

“Now, he can only be extradited back to Australia through international cooperation, which will certainly be difficult, require additional work and follow local legal and political procedures,” the article claimed.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham spoke to 4BC on Thursday morning after the suspect’s name had been published overseas.

“Our international search continues for the person that committed that horrendous crime … we are very much committed to finding the individual responsible,” he said.”

“That child will have those injuries for life.”

Asked whether a post about the man’s identity could hinder investigations, Acting Assistant Commissioner Massingham said: “Sometimes these posts can be a distraction from what we are attempting to achieve”.

“Those things always need to remain confidential up until we go public with the information.”

Police last month confirmed that the suspect flew overseas on August 31.

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton, who is leading the case, previously told media that there was a warrant for the arrest of the man for acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm

“It soon became apparent to us that this person was aware of police methodologies (and) was certainly conducting counter-surveillance activities which made the investigation quite complex,” he said.

A team of almost 30 police have been on the job since the man was caught running from the scene on CCTV, but they’ve been unable to track him down more than a month after the attack.

The baby suffered severe burns but his parents say he has recovered well.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said they were unable to confirm any further details.

“We’re unable to provide any further information or context around this investigation at this time and would strongly advise any media against publishing information sensitive to ongoing inquiries, at the risk of compromising the investigation and locating the person of interest,” the spokeswoman said.

A GoFundMe for baby Luka has raised more than $195,000.

Luka’s mother provided an update on the fundraiser late last month, revealing only a small section of the now 10-month old’s neck and shoulder were “anticipated to scar”.

“The team at QCH have done such a fantastic job, but the most incredible healing has been from our Luka,” she wrote on September 26.

“It’s a long road to recovery when it comes to scar management but the worst of it is over, and the outcome is far better than we ever imagined.

“Luka had his first bath at home yesterday safe to say he had the time of his life.”

Originally published as Identity of man wanted over alleged hot coffee attack on baby at Stones Corner