A criminal psychologist has warned a man who poured scalding hot coffee on a baby could strike again as he remains on the run over a week after the attack.
Nine-month-old Luka had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, Brisbane, when the man approached them at about midday on August 27.
The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and underwent his third operation in Queensland Children’s Hospital this week.
Police are still hunting for the person responsible and last week released fresh images of a man they wish to speak to as inquiries continue.
Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia it was possible the offender could harm another baby.
‘Two things could occur. It may have been a one-off incident and we hope that he’s caught or he may have found it – for some perverse reason – exciting and daring and that may embolden him to do it again,’ he said.
‘The notoriety surrounding this case has been quite high. It’s been well described in the media and sometimes these people become emboldened and enlivened by the press, they get off on it in a way and that may lead to further offending.’
The criminal psychologist said he was surprised that not one person had come forward with information about the ‘cruel and callous offender’.
Police released this image of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the incident last week
‘I think he will be hiding somewhere,’ Dr Watson-Munro said.
‘He may well be protected by people who know him or family members but I don’t think that the lack of detection to date means that the police are not doing their job.
‘But the fact that this photo has been published, that it’s out there in cyberspace, I’m a little surprised that no one has come forward and he hasn’t been detected yet.
‘I would have thought somebody might have come forward by now and said “I recognise this person” but as far as I’m aware, unless the police are keeping their cards pretty close, that hasn’t occurred.
‘I’m sure they’re doing everything they can to find this person, to reassure the community and to bring him to justice.’
It comes as the baby’s mother revealed she is suffering panic attacks while the unidentified man responsible for the attack remains at large.
Meanwhile, more than $100,000 has been raised for the family on GoFundMe which will be used to support the baby and his family.
‘Last night, I had a panic attack, thinking that he’s going to hurt someone else because he’s out there. If he can do this to an innocent baby, he can do a lot worse. I don’t want any more harm to anyone,’ she told media earlier this week.
The baby’s mother (pictured with her son) is suffering panic attacks in lieu of the attack
The little boy had walked unassisted for the first time just moments before he was attacked by the stranger.
He underwent his third surgery on Tuesday but is on the road to recovery.
‘(He) has been incredibly resilient. He’s up and about, walking and causing chaos,’ his mother said.
‘He is such a strong little boy and we are so so proud of him. This horrific event should have never happened. Hopefully one day justice will be served.’
The young mum urged people to ‘please come forward’ if they recognised the man.
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