Detectives have released new footage of a man wanted after hot coffee was allegedly poured over a baby boy.
The young boy was on a picnic with his mother and friends at Hanlon Park in Coorparoo, Brisbane when an unknown man approached the group around noon on Tuesday.
He allegedly poured a thermos of coffee over the baby, causing burns to 60 percent of his body, before fleeing the scene.
On Thursday morning, police released new images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the alleged attack.
He is described as being between 30 and 40 years old, with an average build and tanned skin.
According to police, the man was wearing a black hat, glasses, a checked shirt and shorts.
The latest images were released just a day after the child’s parents described the severity of his injuries.
The nine-month-old baby suffered severe burns over 60 percent of his body, including his face, upper body and arms. His injuries are not life-threatening.
Queensland Police have released new footage of a man (pictured) they want to speak to after scalding hot coffee was poured over a baby boy in a Brisbane park on Tuesday
Anyone who recognizes the man (in the photo) or has information that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact the police.
Heartbreaking footage has emerged of the baby lying in hospital afterwards, wrapped in bandages and screaming in pain.
The baby’s mother became emotional as she relived the horrific event.
“It’s torture and I should be his protector, but I couldn’t protect him,” she said.
‘I keep having flashbacks of what happened and I wish he had poured the coffee on me.
“I don’t know who would think it was okay to hurt a little innocent baby.”
Family friend Zara Mazza was sitting next to the baby and his mother when the stranger attacked.
Ms Mazza fought back tears on The Project on Wednesday night as she recounted how she tried to chase after the attacker but tripped.
The nine-month-old baby (pictured) has burns over 60 percent of his body after a stranger spilled hot coffee on him
Queensland Police are working to identify the unidentified man (pictured) who was seen running from the Brisbane park after the attack
The baby’s mother (pictured with her partner) said she repeatedly has “flashbacks” of the moment the man poured the coffee over her baby
“As I ran back I grabbed my water bottle and threw it over him. We laid him down on the picnic blanket and took off his clothes, exposing the peeling skin – his skin had started to blister,” she said.
‘Some very kind bystanders came up to him, filled their bottles with water and poured it over him.’
Ms Mazza added that the boy’s mother is having a very hard time coping with the ordeal.
“She’s been having a lot of anxiety right now. She hasn’t been able to sleep well, if she can sleep at all,” she said.
‘Bub is in a stable condition. He has burns to his face, neck, chest and arms and they say he will need regular dressing changes under general anaesthetic for the next few weeks.’
An off-duty nurse reportedly heard screams from her nearby home and ran to the park to help the boy.
The baby (pictured before the attack) was rushed to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery
The nurse took the boy back to her apartment and held him under a cold shower until emergency services arrived.
The baby was then rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Mrs. Mazza has a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for the baby’s medical expenses.
“This was a heartless, random attack on my friend’s baby. He does not deserve this pain and suffering,” she wrote.
He is currently in the hospital and is [expected] to stay for a while longer while he is treated for severe burns.
‘He has a long recovery period ahead of him, including more visits to doctors, specialists and hospitals.
The young boy (pictured) was in a stable condition on Wednesday morning and remains in Queensland Children’s Hospital
Police said it was a deliberate and unprovoked attack.
“It’s callous and cowardly,” Detective Paul Dalton told reporters on Wednesday.
‘If you go to a park on a beautiful winter’s day in Brisbane and you’re enjoying your time… it must be terrifying to be attacked and approached like that.
“In my 35 years of law enforcement, I have never seen a job where such a young child was attacked under such circumstances.”
Detective Inspector Dalton assured parents in Brisbane that his officers are working “day and night” to find the perpetrator.
A family friend said the baby (pictured) “has a long recovery ahead of him, with more doctor, specialist and hospital appointments ahead of him.”
The nine-month-old boy (pictured before the attack) remains in Queensland Children’s Hospital
The baby was enjoying a picnic with his family at Hanlon Park in Coorparoo, Brisbane (pictured) when an unknown man approached the group
Anyone who recognises the man seen running from the scene, or who has information that could assist the investigation, is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.