- Baby Luka’s mom posted on Instagram on Saturday
- Severe burns on a baby may require skin grafts
- Police are still searching for the alleged attacker.
- READ MORE: Mom’s biggest fear
A nine-month-old baby who had hot coffee poured over him in what police say was a deliberate and unprovoked attack has emerged from his second surgery, although the road to full recovery remains unclear.
Baby Luka and his mother were at Brisbane’s Hanlon Park, in Stones Corner, around midday on Tuesday when a man allegedly approached the couple before pouring hot coffee over the child and then running away.
The baby suffered severe burns from the harrowing alleged attack and underwent the first of what are expected to be multiple surgeries Friday, including to determine whether he would need a skin graft.
The boy’s mother wrote on Instagram on Saturday that “it looked like the burns under Luka’s neck and chest would leave scarring and potentially require skin grafts,” with another surgery scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3.
She added that it was “not the news” she was expecting, but was glad that “most of his face, arms and legs should be healing nicely,” alongside images of the boy almost completely bandaged while in hospital.
“I’ve really had a hard time dealing with what’s happening to Luka; the crying, the pain, any little problem instantly triggers me and brings me back to the traumatic moment,” the woman wrote in another Instagram story.
Thanking her partner for his support, the woman added: ‘Constant flashbacks… I feel like a helpless mother right now who can’t support her son the way she wants to… I love my children more than anything in the world.’
This comes as police continue to try to locate the man they want to speak to, described as being aged between 30 and 40, of well-proportioned build, tanned skin, wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts.
The boy’s mother wrote on Instagram on Saturday that it appeared “the burns under Luka’s neck and chest will leave scarring and possibly require skin grafts,” with another surgery scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3.
“I’ve really had a hard time dealing with what’s happening to Luka; the crying, the pain, any little problem instantly triggers me and takes me back to the traumatic moment,” the woman wrote in a separate Instagram story.
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the attack earlier this week as “almost an ambush”, while Premier Steven Miles said he had been briefed on the alleged attack.
“The baby is doing well at the hospital and I’m sure our doctors have done a great job taking care of him… I know our police are working hard to apprehend the alleged attacker,” Miles said.
A baby was scalded by a stranger’s hot coffee in a Brisbane park.
A GoFundMe account set up to help cover the baby’s medical costs has raised $97,000 as of Saturday morning, well above the goal of just $5,000, with individual donations of up to $5,000.
Supporters included businesses and individuals, known and unknown to the couple, who described the alleged attack as “horrible and unbearable” and said Luka was a “beautiful and innocent soul”.
Detectives have released images of a man who may be able to assist in their investigation.
