International Hunt for Man Who Threw Hot Coffee on Baby

Australian authorities are collaborating with international law enforcement to track down a man who fled the country after allegedly pouring boiling coffee on a nine-month-old baby in Brisbane. The attack, which took place in a suburban park last month, left the infant with severe burns to his face and limbs, and has deeply shocked the nation. Queensland Police issued an arrest warrant for the 33-year-old suspect, accusing him of acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm. This charge could carry a life sentence if convicted. However, police revealed on Monday that the suspect had flown out of Sydney six days after the incident, just 12 hours before his identity was confirmed. The horrifying attack occurred on 31 August, when witnesses said a "strange man" approached the family during a picnic and poured a flask of boiling liquid on the baby before fleeing on foot. The infant received immediate first aid, and an off-duty nurse took him to her apartment to treat his burns with cold water. Despite these efforts, the baby suffered extensive injuries requiring multiple surgeries, and his parents have said he faces a long recovery.

Investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the unprovoked attack. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the case as one of the "most complex and frustrating" he has ever led. He confirmed that police knew which country the suspect had fled to and had identified him by name, but he withheld the information to avoid compromising the investigation. The suspect, an itinerant worker, had visited Australia multiple times since 2019 and had residential addresses in New South Wales and Victoria. Dalton also revealed that the man had been aware of "police methodologies" and had engaged in "counter-surveillance" to avoid capture. The baby's parents expressed their devastation upon learning that the suspect had fled, but also relief that he had left the country. "It sounds like they were very close to catching him," the mother told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, "but now we don’t know how long it will take to get justice for our son."

The boy remains in good spirits but is expected to need further skin grafts. A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the child’s recovery has already raised over A$150,000 ($100,000, £76,000).