Mum's justice plea for baby burned in Brisbane park coffee attack as suspect is found in China
Luka suffered horrific burns when a stranger poured scalding coffee on his head at a Brisbane park picnic before fleeing in August 2024.
Eight surgeries and almost 12 months later, Luka was healing 'with a spirit that amazes us every single day', his mother said.
But the mum said her son deserved more than praise as police work to resolve the almost year-old case after the alleged attacker fled to China.
'He deserves justice,' she said.
'Almost one year has passed and, while our family continues to live with the trauma of that day, the person responsible has not been held accountable.
'To those in positions of power; please don't make it another year. Do not let this man escape accountability for hurting a child.'
An international manhunt was launched after a stranger approached a group of people having a picnic at Stones Corner and emptied a thermos on Luka before running away on August 27, 2024.
An arrest warrant was issued for a 33-year-old foreign national.
But minutes after identifying the man, police discovered he had flown out of Australia 12 hours earlier.
Police on Wednesday said they had not given up on 'securing justice' after the alleged offender was located in China.
'Over the past year, we've remained relentless in our efforts to hold this person to account and have him face justice,' Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Dalton said.
'There is not a day that goes past when we don't turn our mind to this investigation and we can advance it to find justice for this baby.'
Australian Federal Police have been working with Chinese authorities since the alleged attacker left the country on August 31, 2024.
There is no extradition treaty between Australia and China.
'The AFP values the ongoing co-operation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender's location,' Queensland Police said.
'China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for conduct which occurs outside China.
'The QPS and AFP continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues.'
Luka's mother heaped praise on police, medical staff and the community for their support as her son recovered from the horrific attack.
'Before the age of two, our son has endured more than most adults face in a lifetime,' Luka's mother said.
'Every procedure is a painful reminder of what was done to him — and of the justice that still hasn't come.'
Besides multiple surgeries, Luka has undergone skin needling and grafts as well as laser treatments on his burns.
'Our son has shown a strength far beyond his years ... he is healing with a spirit that amazes us every single day,' the mother said.
'But no child should have to carry the scars — physical or emotional — of such a senseless act.
'He deserves more than our praise. He deserves justice.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Perth Now
Childcare workers could soon face phone ban
State and federal education ministers will discuss progress on a nationwide mobile phone ban for early childcare workers, among a range of other measures aimed at bolstering safety at centres. States, including South Australia, Victoria and most recently Western Australia, have already gone further with a total ban on personal mobile phones in centres, however all states and territories agreed to the voluntary Model Code set by the Commonwealth. The federal code restricts educators and workers from taking photo and videos on their personal devices. However, centre-issued devices are exempt from the rule. Other measures set to dominate the meeting, which will be held in Sydney on Friday, include funding a National Educator Register to ensure workers who fail to meet standards can't bypass state jurisdictions, tougher penalties to deter noncompliance and mandatory child safety training for all staff. State and federal education ministers will discuss new rules for childcare centres to keep children safe. Credit: istock Federal Education Minister Jason Clare will also propose a funding package of up to $189m over four years to implement the changes. The special meeting of education ministers follows a string of child abuse and sexual assault allegations, including Melbourne former childcare worker Joshua Brown who faces more than 70 charges. Australian Federal Police officers allege NSW worker David William James produced child abuse material of 10 victims, the oldest being six years old. As a result, the Commonwealth passed laws which would cut off funding to centres which repeatedly breached standards, plus allow compliance officers to conduct checks without prior warning. Former Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Brown has been hit with more than 70 child abuse and child sexual assault charges. Picture Supplied Credit: Supplied Mr Clare said Friday's meeting would discuss the 'next step' in ensuring safety standards in centres. 'No parent should ever have to wonder if their child is safe when they drop them off at child care,' he said. 'We need a national register to ensure we know who is caring for our children and their work history.' He also flagged mandatory child safety training as another priority. 'The overwhelming majority of childcare workers are awesome at what they do caring for and educating our children. They are just as angry as everyone else,' he said. 'They're our best asset here and we need to back them with the skills to spot when something isn't right. 'We also need to ban personal phones and ramp up inspections to make sure centres are up to scratch.' Education Minister Jason Clare will convene a special meeting with his state counterparts to discuss safety measures. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh conceded 'there was more to do'. 'Our action supports the overwhelming majority of educators and providers who do the right thing and shuts the door on people and providers who do harm,' she said. 'Our investment of up to $184m is the biggest child safety package the early learning sector has ever seen.' The Coalition's education and early learning spokesman Jonno Duniam said Friday's meeting must produce 'immediate, consistent reforms'. He said there needed to be a consistent phone ban across all states, and backed South Australia's $50,000 penalties for noncompliance on Model Code. 'Every opportunity to shift the dial should be on the table. This includes considering targets in the extended preschool reform agreement,' he said. 'A national register of childcare workers should have been implemented already, and there must be consistency in the implementation of personal phone bans. 'South Australia is imposing $50,000 penalties for noncompliance to the new code. We want to see all states and territories follow suit.'
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Childcare worker phone ban, national register to dominate Friday's education ministers meeting
State and federal education ministers will discuss progress on a nationwide mobile phone ban for early childcare workers, among a range of other measures aimed at bolstering safety at centres. States, including South Australia, Victoria and most recently Western Australia, have already gone further with a total ban on personal mobile phones in centres, however all states and territories agreed to the voluntary Model Code set by the Commonwealth. The federal code restricts educators and workers from taking photo and videos on their personal devices. However, centre-issued devices are exempt from the rule. Other measures set to dominate the meeting, which will be held in Sydney on Friday, include funding a National Educator Register to ensure workers who fail to meet standards can't bypass state jurisdictions, tougher penalties to deter noncompliance and mandatory child safety training for all staff. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare will also propose a funding package of up to $189m over four years to implement the changes. The special meeting of education ministers follows a string of child abuse and sexual assault allegations, including Melbourne former childcare worker Joshua Brown who faces more than 70 charges. Australian Federal Police officers allege NSW worker David William James produced child abuse material of 10 victims, the oldest being six years old. As a result, the Commonwealth passed laws which would cut off funding to centres which repeatedly breached standards, plus allow compliance officers to conduct checks without prior warning. Mr Clare said Friday's meeting would discuss the 'next step' in ensuring safety standards in centres. 'No parent should ever have to wonder if their child is safe when they drop them off at child care,' he said. 'We need a national register to ensure we know who is caring for our children and their work history.' He also flagged mandatory child safety training as another priority. 'The overwhelming majority of childcare workers are awesome at what they do caring for and educating our children. They are just as angry as everyone else,' he said. 'They're our best asset here and we need to back them with the skills to spot when something isn't right. 'We also need to ban personal phones and ramp up inspections to make sure centres are up to scratch.' Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh conceded 'there was more to do'. 'Our action supports the overwhelming majority of educators and providers who do the right thing and shuts the door on people and providers who do harm,' she said. 'Our investment of up to $184m is the biggest child safety package the early learning sector has ever seen.' The Coalition's education and early learning spokesman Jonno Duniam said Friday's meeting must produce 'immediate, consistent reforms'. He said there needed to be a consistent phone ban across all states, and backed South Australia's $50,000 penalties for noncompliance on Model Code. 'Every opportunity to shift the dial should be on the table. This includes considering targets in the extended preschool reform agreement,' he said. 'A national register of childcare workers should have been implemented already, and there must be consistency in the implementation of personal phone bans. 'South Australia is imposing $50,000 penalties for noncompliance to the new code. We want to see all states and territories follow suit.' Originally published as Childcare worker phone ban, national register to dominate Friday's education ministers meeting
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Second man charged over synagogue firebombing attack
Counter-terrorism police have charged a second man over an arson attack that gutted a synagogue and sparked international outrage. Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's southeast were destroyed in the blaze on December 6. Two congregants inside preparing for morning prayers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries. A 20-year-old man was charged with arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a vehicle on Thursday after police raided a home at Meadow Heights in Melbourne's north on August 14. Electronic devices and other items are undergoing forensic examination after being seized. The Meadow Heights man has been remanded in custody ahead of facing Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Police will allege he is one of three people who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and deliberately set the fire. His co-accused, 21-year-old Werribee man Giovanni Laulu, has been hit with the same charges after his arrest in late July. The theft charge relates to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car". A 20-year-old man from Melton South has also been charged over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously declared he believed the arson attack was an act of terrorism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as an "abhorrent act of anti-Semitism". Police are continuing to treat it as a politically motivated attack. Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals worked together on the synagogue arson, and remain confident of further arrests and charges. The investigation has been one of the "highest priorities" of the joint counter terrorism team, acting Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Read said. "I want to reassure the community - especially the Jewish community - that the AFP, together with Victoria Police and ASIO, are working relentlessly to bring this investigation to its conclusion," he said. "We warned that further arrests would follow and today we have taken yet another step towards justice." The Executive Council of Australian Jewry praised the "painstaking work" of police in tracking down some of the alleged perpetrators and gathering evidence for their prosecution. "Our community awaits further information about whether foreign actors were also involved," the group's president Daniel Aghion said. Counter-terrorism police have charged a second man over an arson attack that gutted a synagogue and sparked international outrage. Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's southeast were destroyed in the blaze on December 6. Two congregants inside preparing for morning prayers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries. A 20-year-old man was charged with arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a vehicle on Thursday after police raided a home at Meadow Heights in Melbourne's north on August 14. Electronic devices and other items are undergoing forensic examination after being seized. The Meadow Heights man has been remanded in custody ahead of facing Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Police will allege he is one of three people who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and deliberately set the fire. His co-accused, 21-year-old Werribee man Giovanni Laulu, has been hit with the same charges after his arrest in late July. The theft charge relates to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car". A 20-year-old man from Melton South has also been charged over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously declared he believed the arson attack was an act of terrorism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as an "abhorrent act of anti-Semitism". Police are continuing to treat it as a politically motivated attack. Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals worked together on the synagogue arson, and remain confident of further arrests and charges. The investigation has been one of the "highest priorities" of the joint counter terrorism team, acting Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Read said. "I want to reassure the community - especially the Jewish community - that the AFP, together with Victoria Police and ASIO, are working relentlessly to bring this investigation to its conclusion," he said. "We warned that further arrests would follow and today we have taken yet another step towards justice." The Executive Council of Australian Jewry praised the "painstaking work" of police in tracking down some of the alleged perpetrators and gathering evidence for their prosecution. "Our community awaits further information about whether foreign actors were also involved," the group's president Daniel Aghion said. Counter-terrorism police have charged a second man over an arson attack that gutted a synagogue and sparked international outrage. Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's southeast were destroyed in the blaze on December 6. Two congregants inside preparing for morning prayers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries. A 20-year-old man was charged with arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a vehicle on Thursday after police raided a home at Meadow Heights in Melbourne's north on August 14. Electronic devices and other items are undergoing forensic examination after being seized. The Meadow Heights man has been remanded in custody ahead of facing Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Police will allege he is one of three people who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and deliberately set the fire. His co-accused, 21-year-old Werribee man Giovanni Laulu, has been hit with the same charges after his arrest in late July. The theft charge relates to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car". A 20-year-old man from Melton South has also been charged over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously declared he believed the arson attack was an act of terrorism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as an "abhorrent act of anti-Semitism". Police are continuing to treat it as a politically motivated attack. Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals worked together on the synagogue arson, and remain confident of further arrests and charges. The investigation has been one of the "highest priorities" of the joint counter terrorism team, acting Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Read said. "I want to reassure the community - especially the Jewish community - that the AFP, together with Victoria Police and ASIO, are working relentlessly to bring this investigation to its conclusion," he said. "We warned that further arrests would follow and today we have taken yet another step towards justice." The Executive Council of Australian Jewry praised the "painstaking work" of police in tracking down some of the alleged perpetrators and gathering evidence for their prosecution. "Our community awaits further information about whether foreign actors were also involved," the group's president Daniel Aghion said. Counter-terrorism police have charged a second man over an arson attack that gutted a synagogue and sparked international outrage. Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's southeast were destroyed in the blaze on December 6. Two congregants inside preparing for morning prayers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries. A 20-year-old man was charged with arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a vehicle on Thursday after police raided a home at Meadow Heights in Melbourne's north on August 14. Electronic devices and other items are undergoing forensic examination after being seized. The Meadow Heights man has been remanded in custody ahead of facing Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Police will allege he is one of three people who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and deliberately set the fire. His co-accused, 21-year-old Werribee man Giovanni Laulu, has been hit with the same charges after his arrest in late July. The theft charge relates to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car". A 20-year-old man from Melton South has also been charged over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously declared he believed the arson attack was an act of terrorism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as an "abhorrent act of anti-Semitism". Police are continuing to treat it as a politically motivated attack. Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals worked together on the synagogue arson, and remain confident of further arrests and charges. The investigation has been one of the "highest priorities" of the joint counter terrorism team, acting Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Read said. "I want to reassure the community - especially the Jewish community - that the AFP, together with Victoria Police and ASIO, are working relentlessly to bring this investigation to its conclusion," he said. "We warned that further arrests would follow and today we have taken yet another step towards justice." The Executive Council of Australian Jewry praised the "painstaking work" of police in tracking down some of the alleged perpetrators and gathering evidence for their prosecution. "Our community awaits further information about whether foreign actors were also involved," the group's president Daniel Aghion said.
