Detectives have released new images of a man wanted after a hot coffee was allegedly poured over a baby boy.
The young bub 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 allegedly poured a thermos of coffee over the baby, causing burns to 60 per cent of his body, before fleeing the scene.
On Thursday morning, police released new images of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the alleged assault.
He has been described as being between 30-40-years-old and of an average build and with tanned skin.
Police said the man was wearing a black hat, glasses, a checkered button-up shirt and shorts.
The latest set of images was released just a day after the child’s parents described the severity of his injuries.
The nine-month-old suffered serious but non-life-threatening burns to 60 per cent of his body, including his face, upper body and arms.
Queensland Police have released new images of a man (pictured) they wish to speak to after a baby boy had scolding hot coffee poured over him at a Brisbane park on Tuesday
Anyone who recognises the man (pictured) or has any information that can assist with investigations has been urged to contact police
Heartbreaking footage has emerged of the baby in hospital afterwards, wrapped in bandages and screaming in pain.
The baby’s mother became emotional as she relived the harrowing ordeal.
‘It’s torture and I’m supposed to be his protector and I couldn’t protect him,’ she said.
‘I’m just having flashbacks all the time about what happened and I wish that he had poured the coffee over me.
‘I don’t know who would think it is okay to harm a little, innocent baby.’
Family friend Zara Mazza was sitting alongside the baby and his mother when the stranger attacked.
Ms Mazza fought back tears on The Project on Wednesday night as she recalled how she attempted to chase down the assailant but tripped.
The nine-month-old baby (pictured) has burns to 60 per cent of his body after a stranger threw scalding coffee over him
Queensland Police are working to identify the unknown man (pictured) who was seen running from the Brisbane park after the attack
The mother of the baby (pictured with her partner) said she has repetitive ‘flashbacks’ of the moment the man poured the coffee over her baby
‘As I ran back I picked up my water bottle and dumped it over him. We laid him down on the picnic rug and we peeled his clothes away, which revealed the peeling of his skin – his skin had started to blister,’ she said.
‘Some really lovely onlookers came over and filled up water bottles and kept pouring it over him.’
Ms Mazza added that the boy’s mother is struggling as a result of the ordeal.
‘She’s got a lot of anxiety right now. She’s not been able to sleep very well, if at all,’ she said.
‘Bub is in a stable condition. He’s had burns to his face, neck, chest and arms, and they say that he’ll need regular dressing changes under anaesthetic over the next few weeks.’
An off-duty nurse reportedly heard screams from her nearby residence and ran to the park to help the boy.
The baby (pictured before the attack) was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery
The nurse took the boy back to her apartment and kept him under a cold shower until paramedics arrived.
The baby was then rushed to the Queensland Children’s Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Ms Mazza has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for the baby’s medical expenses.
‘This was a callous, random attack on my friend’s baby. He does not deserve this pain and suffering,’ she wrote.
‘He is currently in hospital and is [expected] to stay for a while, while he is treated for severe burns.
‘He has a long recovery ahead of him which will include further doctors’, specialists’ and hospital appointments.;
The young boy (pictured) was in a stable condition on Wednesday morning and remains at Queensland Children’s Hospital
Police described it as a deliberate and unprovoked attack.
‘It is callous and cowardly,’ Detective Inspector Paul Dalton told reporters on Wednesday.
‘Going to a park on a beautiful winter’s day in Brisbane, enjoying your time … to be attacked like this and approached like this, it must be terrifying.
‘In 35 years of being a police officer I’ve never come across a job where a child this young in these circumstances has been attacked.’
Inspector Dalton also reassured Brisbane parents his officers are ‘working around the clock’ to find the perpetrator.
A family friend said the baby (pictured) ‘has a long recovery ahead of him which will include further doctors’, specialists’ and hospital appointments’
The nine-month-old boy (pictured before the attack) remains at Queensland Children’s Hospital
The baby was with his family enjoying a picnic at Hanlon Park in Coorparoo in Brisbane (pictured) when an unknown man approached the group
Anyone who recognises the man pictured fleeing the scene, or who has any information that can assist investigations, is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers.
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