Identity of man wanted over Hanlon Park, Brisbane hot coffee attack on baby revealed as police suspect name

A 33-year-old Chinese national on a student visa has been identified as the man suspected of pouring hot coffee on a baby in a park. Police reveal the child will be left with lifelong injuries as a result of the horrific attack.

Nine-month-old Luka was having a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, south-east Brisbane, when the man approached them around noon on August 27, poured the thermos of boiling coffee over the toddler and fled.

The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, torso and arms and underwent four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for the man for acts with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which carries a life sentence.

The man drove to NSW a day after the alleged attack before leaving the country from Sydney on August 31.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham told Radio 4BC on Thursday that the suspect’s name had been published in Chinese media.

Police said the 33-year-old man had no family or criminal record in Australia and had worked in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

Daily Mail Australia understands he has been on a holiday visa since first coming to Australia in 2019, before switching to a student visa.

Police released this photo last week of a man they want to speak to about the incident

According to Chinese media, he was reportedly born in Hangzhou, China.

“Our international search continues for the person who committed this appalling crime… we are deeply committed to finding the person responsible,” Mr Massingham said.

“That child will have those injuries for life.”

Queensland Police Detective Paul Dalton said the man fled the country just 12 hours after they identified him.

“I was in the research center when we put a name to the face and it was a very cheerful room, except within 15 minutes we were able to do a check and find out we’ve lost it,” he said.

‘I have thirty detectives working for me. They are devastated that they have missed this person for twelve hours.

“I was deflated, but that deflation quickly turned into determination and resilience to get the job done.”

The baby’s mother (pictured with her son) gets panic attacks instead of the attack

Baby Luka is expected to suffer life-long injuries after the horrific act

The boy’s mother said it was a relief that the alleged attacker was no longer in Australia.

“I had no idea where this person was, I didn’t want to leave this hospital because it became our safe space,” she said.

‘When I got home I had panic attacks and still do.

‘I feel a sense of relief that he is not in this country, but I will always have fear and anxiety when I am out in public with my son – it has affected my mental health for the rest of my life.

‘I just want to know why, why he did this. These are questions that may always remain unanswered.’

Det Insp Dalton said he was still pondering a possible motive.

‘There aren’t many investigations where you don’t get a clear motive. It’s strange,” he said.

When asked what his message to the man would be, Detective Dalton said: “We’ll keep going until we find you – I haven’t lost that determination.”

The parents said their son was in good spirits, but it would take years for him to recover.

A GoFundMe page for the child has raised more than $150,000 so far.