Australian police, in cooperation with international counterparts, have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly fled the country after pouring hot coffee on a baby in Brisbane.
As a result of the shocking incident, which occurred on August 31, the nine-month-old boy, who was on a picnic with his family in a suburban park, was left with severe burns to his face and limbs.
A “strange man” approached and emptied a jar on the boy before fleeing on foot. BBC reported, citing witnesses.
The baby was immediately given first aid, before an off-duty nurse took him to her nearby apartment to treat his burns with cold water.
The boy underwent multiple surgeries for his injuries and his parents say he faces a years-long road to recovery.
Following the incident, Queensland Police issued an arrest warrant for a 33-year-old suspect wanted for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, a charge that carries a possible life sentence.
Authorities revealed on Monday that the prime suspect left Sydney airport six days after the incident, just 12 hours before they were able to confirm his identity.
The reason for the incident is still unknown.
Police have so far known the suspect's name and the country to which he fled, but said revealing the information at this stage could jeopardize their investigation.
According to the BBCThe suspect is a “roving” worker who had travelled to Australia repeatedly since 2019 and had addresses in both New South Wales and Victoria.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the suspect was aware of “policing methodologies” and had been “conducting counter-surveillance activities” to evade them.
The baby's parents said Monday that while they were “devastated” to learn the suspect had left the country, they were also relieved he was gone.
The boy is “in good spirits,” his father added, but may still need more skin graft surgeries.
A GoFundMe page for the baby has so far raised more than $150,000.
