
Major development in hunt for Chinese man who allegedly poured hot coffee on baby at Brisbane park
According to a report in The Australian on Monday, Australian authorities have been trying to find a resolution after the identity of the suspect was confirmed.
The Chinese national reportedly flew out of Sydney just days after the attack, in August 2024.
Queensland Police have reportedly given a brief of evidence on the alleged offender.
However, China does not extradite its own citizens for prosecutions in foreign countries.
According to the report, Queensland authorities have been unwilling to discuss the move or detail any proposed deal with their Chinese counterparts.
Baby Luka and his mother were having a picnic in Hanlon Park at about midday on August 27 when a stranger tipped a thermos of hot coffee over the baby and fled.
The infant suffered serious burns to his face, upper body and arms and has endured multiple surgeries at Queensland Children's Hospital.
A warrant is out for the arrest of the accused attacker, believed to be a 33-year-old Chinese national, who remains on the run overseas after fleeing Australia.
In October last year, police confirmed they knew the identity of the suspect.
Last year, acting assistant police commissioner Andrew Massingham told 4BC that authorities were 'committed to finding the individual responsible' for the alleged attack.
'Our international search continues for the person that committed that horrendous crime,' he said.
Massingham also told the station attack has now left the child with 'injuries for life'.
Previously, Luka's mother, who had revealed she had panic attacks after the attack, said her baby boy seemed like his happy self again.
'He's really strong and resilient and brave,' she told 7NEWS.
She told local media that, despite the outpouring of support from the public, she was still 'very angry' that the alleged assailant had fled the country and feared he could hurt someone else.
'I think the whole of Australia, especially a lot of mums and people with children, are furious and angry and really want this guy caught,' the mother told KIIS 97.3 radio.
'I am very angry and saddened that this has happened ... and that we have to wait maybe years to get justice.
'My main focus is my son, but this guy does come into my thoughts all the time because I just get really, really angry that he could do such a thing to a defenceless baby.'
She said she wants the man to return to Australia 'for justice'.
'I don't want him to just get away with this and to live a normal life wherever he is because we're going to be living in trauma for a number of years to come.'

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