Hanlon Park, Brisbane: Major development in the case of a man who threw scalding hot coffee over a baby

Police are investigating whether a man who threw hot coffee on a baby in a shocking, unprovoked attack may have fled to another state or abroad.

Nine-month-old Luka was picnicking with his mother at Hanlon Park, in Brisbane’s south-east, when the man approached them around midday on August 27 and threw the thermos of hot coffee over the toddler before running away.

The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and underwent four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

A photo of the man police say is responsible for the attack has been circulating online, but investigators have not yet been able to locate him.

“Detectives are continuing to investigate the matter and are working with partner agencies at state and international level to continue the investigation,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said.

‘The media will receive an update on Monday.’

The man is described as between 30 and 40 years old, with a proportionate build and tanned skin.

During the attack he was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts.

Police tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed clothes outside a church.

He then took a taxi into Brisbane city centre, where he drove to Caxton Street.

Luka is now back in the hospital after a short stay at home.

His mother, Erna Burgic, had previously said she feared he would need skin grafts and laser treatment.

She told Nine News last week that she was having flashbacks of the nightmare incident.

“It’s torture and I should be his protector, but I couldn’t protect him,” she said.

‘I keep having flashbacks about what happened.

Luka’s mother (pictured with her son) said she suffered from flashbacks of the horrific attack

“I don’t know who would think it was okay to hurt an innocent baby.”

A gafundme was set up by Zara Mazza, a friend of Ms Burgic who was with her at the time of the attack.

As of Saturday evening, the page had raised a whopping $144,744, well over its target of $5,000.

The charges come after criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia it is possible the perpetrator intended to harm another baby.

“There are two things that could happen. It could have been a one-off incident and we hope he gets caught or he found it – for some perverse reason – exciting and daring and that might encourage him to do it again,” he said.

‘The awareness of this case is quite high. It’s been well covered in the media and sometimes these people get encouraged and hyped up by the press, they get excited about it in a way and that can lead to further offences.’

The forensic psychologist said he was surprised that no one had come forward with information about the “cruel and callous perpetrator.”

“I think he’s hiding somewhere,” said Dr Watson-Munro.

‘He may be protected by people who know him or by family members, but I don’t think the fact that there has been no investigation so far means that the police are not doing their job.

‘But the fact that this photo has been published and that it is circulating on the Internet, I am a little surprised that no one has come forward and that he has not been tracked down yet.

‘I would have expected that by now someone would have come forward and said: “I recognise this person”, but as far as I know that has not happened, unless the police are laying their cards on the table.’

Baby Luka has undergone four surgeries following last month’s attack