Update after baby attacked with coffee
The parents of a baby who allegedly had hot coffee poured on him have returned to the park for the very first time to renew their pleas to catch the alleged offender.
Nine-month-old Luka was injured on August 27 while having a picnic with his mother at a Brisbane park.
Police allege a man came up to the boy and poured a Thermos of hot coffee on the child, burning his face and chest.
Queensland Police earlier said the 33-year-old man accused of the attack had fled the country on his own passport a day before he was identified by police.
He travelled by car to NSW on August 28 before flying out of Sydney airport on August 31, police said.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Luka’s parents — who wish to remain anonymous — would told 7NEWS they want more information on the investigation from police.
“We would just like a bit of assurance that we are on the right track, and (that the offender) is going to get caught,” Luka’s father told the outlet on Thursday.
“How (do) they plan on bringing him back? And if they know where he is in that particular country, is that country working with us?”
Appearing at the park, burns could still be seen on Luka.
“He’s really strong and resilient and brave,” his mother said.
Luka’s father also said the baby boy is “hitting all his milestones” and they “can’t believe how well he is doing”.
The update follows Australian National University Professor of International Law Donald Rothwell revealing it may be difficult to catch the alleged offender.
Speaking hypothetically, Professor Rothwell earlier said if it’s known the alleged offender travelled to a certain country, Queensland Police would be able to put in an extradition request.
“If on the other hand there’s no real understanding as to where this individual may have fled to — or indeed they may have travelled to one part of the world and then of course on arrival crossed borders by land or even by sea — that then becomes exceptionally difficult, and that then sees Australia possibly entering the realm of putting out an interpol request warrant,” he said.
Professor Rothwell concluded the information available at the moment is “still quite sketchy”.
“Matters remain at a preliminary stage at the moment, but most importantly the Queensland Police have identified a suspect as a person of interest,” he said.