Detectives share images of man involved in hot coffee scalding incident with baby
A police detective is seeking public information following a disturbing ‘ambush’ incident that resulted in a baby sustaining severe burns.
Brisbane detectives have shared a photo of a man suspected of pouring hot coffee onto a nine-month-old infant during an unexpected attack at a picnic.
The parents of the baby were enjoying a day out with friends at Hanlon Park in Brisbane’s Stones Corner on Aug. 27 when an unidentified man approached them and poured a thermos of hot coffee on the baby boy.
A nearby nurse heard the baby’s cries and rushed over to assist as the mother exclaimed, “It’s hot, it’s hot coffee.”
The mother’s friend recounted her attempt to chase after the attacker but stumbled before returning to aid.
She described the distressing scene as the baby’s skin damage became apparent.
“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,” the friend said.
The baby had to undergo surgery and is currently in stable condition at the hospital.
“This man needs to be found and charged,” expressed the baby’s mother, who remains unidentified, in an interview with the Nine Network.
The baby’s mother divulged that she has been experiencing flashbacks since the incident.
“It’s torture. I am supposed to be his protector and I couldn’t protect him,” she lamented.
The baby will spend the next week in the hospital and will require further surgical procedures.
Authorities have shared two images of a man between the ages of 30 and 40, with a proportional build and tanned complexion.
He was dressed in a black hat, glasses, a blue shirt, and shorts.
“I believe that we’re making good progress in the investigation, and I am confident that we will have a positive outcome. However, we are still urging the public to carefully review the CCTV footage,” stated Detective Inspector Paul Dalton in an interview with ABC News Breakfast.
The officer recounted how the mother was targeted from behind.
“It was completely unexpected, almost like an ambush,” he remarked. “Rest assured we are doing everything in our power to locate this individual.”
The detective inspector highlighted that he had not witnessed such a brazen and heartless act in his 30 years of policing, with the baby suffering from “quite significant burns.”
Anyone with information pertaining to the incident is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
