The mother of a baby who had scalding coffee poured over him by a stranger has shared footage of the nine-month-old taking his first steps as new details emerge about the attacker’s unusual movements afterwards.
Little Luka was at a picnic with his mum and friends at Hanlon Park in Coorparoo in Brisbane when an unknown man approached the group at about midday on Tuesday.
He poured a thermos of coffee over Luka before fleeing the scene and headed to a nearby church to change clothes.
The nine-month-old boy was rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital where he remains recovering following an emergency surgery.
His mother on Thursday shared a video of Luka walking and laughing for the first time since the attack.
Luka had taken his first steps just hours before he was seriously burnt, so his parents were relieved to see the injuries weren’t deterring him.
‘He seems like his happy self again, which is nice to see because the last few days have been really, really hard,’ his mother told 7News.
‘He’s doing good. He’s actually playing.’
A nine-month-old baby (pictured) attacked by a stranger in a Brisbane park has taken his first steps since the horror incident
The baby boy (pictured with his mum) was enjoying a picnic with his mum and friends when a stranger approached and poured hot coffee over him
Queensland Police released new images of the alleged perpetrator (pictured) on Thursday
Queensland Police released new images of the alleged perpetrator on Thursday.
It also shared his strange movements immediately after the attack.
He was seen fleeing the park before visiting a church in Tarragindi where he changed his clothes outside.
He then caught a rideshare car into Brisbane’s CBD before travelling to Caxton Street.
Police said the man was wearing a black hat, glasses, a checkered button-up shirt and shorts.
Footage released by police on Wednesday showed the alleged attacker running from the park.
He’s described as aged 30-40 with a proportionate build, tanned skin and wore a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts.
The little boy (pictured) suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body and had to undergo emergency surgery
A GoFundMe for the baby’s (pictured) medical fees has received over $65,000 in just over a day
A GoFundMe for the baby’s medical fees has received over $65,000 in just over a day.
‘It’s restored my faith in the community and in the kindness out there,’ the grateful mother said.
The GoFundMe, created by a family friend who was at the attacked picnic, described the man’s actions as ‘callous’ and ‘random’.
‘[The baby] is currently in hospital and is [expected] to stay for a while, while he is treated for severe burns,’ she wrote.
‘He has a long recovery ahead of him which will include further doctors’, specialists’ [and] hospital appointments.
‘[I] would love to raise some money towards any medical or household costs to help ease the pressure off of my friend and her family while they take the time to be home and help their beautiful boy heal.’
Anyone who recognises the man, or who has any information that can assist investigations, is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton on Wednesday said the baby (pictured before the attack) was in a stable condition
The nine-month-old boy (pictured) was rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital where he remains recovering following an emergency surgery
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