Stunning failure of political correctness allowed coward who burned baby Luka with hot coffee in Hanlon Park to flee the country – as former top cop lays bare key questions surrounding the case

A veteran police officer has revealed how political correctness may have hampered the search for a man accused of throwing a thermos of hot coffee over a baby.

Nine-month-old baby Luka was on a picnic with his mother and friends at Hanlon Park, in Brisbane’s south, on August 27 when a stranger approached them and poured hot coffee over the baby.

Little Luka suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and has since undergone four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

An urgent manhunt was launched and detectives revealed on Monday that the 33-year-old suspect had managed to flee abroad.

Former Australian Federal Police Detective David Craig criticised Queensland police for failing to disclose the suspect’s race information in their initial public notification.

His description was reported as “a person [with] “Tanning skin…” That doesn’t limit the range all that much, Craig told Channel Seven’s Sunrise programme.

‘He should have been a man of Asian appearance, just like we do with people of Caucasian appearance. In this case, it didn’t happen fast enough.

“These are not racial slurs. These are identifying terms.”

Nine-month-old baby Luka (pictured) suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms after a stranger poured hot coffee over him

The alleged attacker’s (pictured) movements before he fled the country showed he likely had “some experience in counterintelligence”

Mr Craig called it “nerve-wracking” how the man managed to evade authorities and flee the country despite his photo being posted online.

‘Klearly, this person had some experience with counter-surveillance. He knew what he was doing,” he said.

‘He clearly wanted to avoid the electronic trails so he couldn’t be followed so easily.’

He made the statement as Australians across the country came together to support the victim’s family, with kind-hearted Australians donating over $150,000.

“Sending you all the strength in the world and to your precious, beautiful baby… may he make a full recovery and receive the best possible treatment,” one person wrote.

“Just horrible and unbearable. I feel so sorry for this suffering. I hope the perpetrator is found,” added another.

The fundraiser was launched to raise money for the baby’s medical expenses, with organisers expressing their gratitude for all the support during such a ‘difficult and traumatic time’.

“We are overwhelmed by all the support, both the donations and the words of encouragement we have received from them,” the fundraiser said.

“This GoFundMe allows us to support (the baby) with all of his ongoing care needs. It’s really taken a load off our shoulders.

‘He is such a strong little boy and we are so proud of him.

The 33-year-old man accused of carrying out the attack was in NSW on August 28, the day after the incident in Brisbane.

He left Sydney airport on August 31 using his own passport, just 12 hours before police confirmed his identity.

A warrant has now been issued for his arrest on alleged aggravated assault, a charge that could carry a life sentence.

Mr Craig explained that it will be a “bit of a legal process” to extradite the suspect to Australia, but he is confident that “the authorities will get him back here”.

“There should be a police operation underway at this time to locate that person through a mutual assistance request and the extradition request will be approved,” he said.

Detective Constable Paul Dalton of Queensland Police described the incident as a “barbaric attack” with no apparent motive. He said the suspect was “aware of police methods” and was “conducting counter-surveillance activities”.

“This is probably one of the most complex and at times frustrating investigations I have ever been involved in and led,” he said Monday.

According to Inspector Dalton, the man was clearly ‘aware of what we (the police) do to find people’ and police had difficulty locating people because they had initially been given the wrong name.

“It wasn’t until September 1 that we were able to put the name of the face on the surveillance cameras,” he said.

“Even at that point, we probably didn’t have enough evidence to get a warrant.

“We have now been to New South Wales and Victoria to gather that information and the warrant has been granted.”

Former AFP officer David Craig (pictured) explained that it will be a ‘bit of a legal process’ to extradite the suspect to Australia, but he is confident that ‘the authorities will get him back here’

Nine-month-old baby Luka (pictured) was enjoying a picnic with his mother and friends at Hanlon Park, in Brisbane’s south, when the stranger attacked him

Detective Dalton said he knew which country the man had fled to, but he could not share that information while the investigation was ongoing.

He said the man had been in and out of Australia since 2019 and had behaved “legally” on each occasion.

“There are no adverse effects that we can find on him in Australia,” Detective Inspector Dalton said.

He said the man was in the country on a visa and had addresses “on the east coast” but not in Queensland.

The suspect was a ‘travelling’ worker in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and police had questioned a number of his former colleagues.

The police officer called the attack the “most cowardly” he had seen in his career.

“A young mother and a baby are sitting on the ground and you approach them from behind,” he said.

“Can you think of anything more vulnerable than that? And taking advantage of it? You’re probably right, it’s one of the most disgusting I’ve come across.”

The chief officer promised that he would not stop the investigation until the man was caught.

“I have 30 detectives working for me. They are devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours,” he said.

“I think the family would just be more upset about that.”

Detective Dalton encourages anyone with information to come forward.

“Now that this person has fled Australia, people may feel safer reporting to police,” he said.

“I encourage them to do that. There will be no judgment on you.”

Detective Constable Paul Dalton confirmed the worst fears of many people, including Luka’s family, on Monday afternoon by admitting that the suspected attacker had fled Australia (pictured: Luka with his mother in hospital)

The man was described as being of small build with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts at the time of the attack.

Police tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed clothes outside a church.

He then took a taxi to the centre of Brisbane, where he drove to Caxton Street, where he was initially not found until it was discovered that he had fled the country.