A man accused of throwing hot coffee at a defenceless nine-month-old baby in a Brisbane park has yet to be found despite fears he has fled overseas.
Queensland Police have been working with partner agencies around the world amid fears the man responsible for the sickening attack has fled to another state or country.
Little Luka Burgic was on a picnic with his mother Erna at Hanlon Park in Brisbane’s south-east when the man approached them at around midday on August 27 and poured a thermos of boiling coffee over the baby before fleeing.
The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and underwent four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital as a result of the unprovoked attack.
There are serious concerns that the unknown assailant is attempting to evade justice by hiding abroad.
But former investigator Charlie Bezzina He said the man’s act was so heinous that it was only a matter of time before he was apprehended, and that even the poorest third world countries would quickly devote their limited resources to finding the fugitive.
“If he’s fled to another state, he won’t last long,” the decorated detective, who led multiple manhunts throughout his career, told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Interstate relations between police agencies are very strong. Within Australia, there will be no problem (finding him).’
Veteran detective Charlie Bezzina has urged anyone with information to come forward.
Luka Burgic’s mother, Erna, says she has been suffering from flashbacks of the ordeal.
‘If you have travelled abroad, there is sometimes a concern that in some third world countries there is no particular ‘care factor’ regarding crimes committed outside their borders.
‘But in this case, given the enormity of the heinous act this man is alleged to have perpetrated against a baby, that will strike a chord with any government – and any law enforcement agency – in the world.
“And nobody wants the bad publicity that would come from having this suspect, who is alleged to have committed this heinous crime, in their country and not cooperating with him.”
Bezzina, who has solved some of Australia’s most brutal murders, said he was devastated to see the harrowing images of the man’s child victim.
“Hearing it was absolutely horrible,” she said.
“But what really touched me, and I think the community at large, was seeing the images of the poor bandaged baby.
“We all have feelings, and when people attack the elderly, children, the defenseless, it really hits close to home.”
He urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward for the sake of little Luka and his heartbroken family.
Police are looking for this man in connection with the shocking August 27 attack in Brisbane
Little Luka has undergone four surgeries following the sickening unprovoked attack.
“My deepest condolences to them, because the scars from the burns will always remain,” he said.
“And unfortunately, that will be a daily reminder of this heinous act that has been perpetrated against such an innocent child.
“We need to bring someone to justice and answer to these accusations.”
An image of the man authorities believe is responsible for the attack has circulated online, and Queensland Police said they would provide further updates on their investigation on Monday.
The man is described as being between 30 and 40 years old, with a well-proportioned build and tanned skin.
At the time of the attack he was wearing a black hat, glasses, a T-shirt and shorts.
The incident occurred at Hanlon Family Park in Brisbane’s inner south-east.
Police have traced his movements after the attack to the Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed clothes outside a church.
He then took a carpool into central Brisbane, before heading to Caxton Street.
Meanwhile, Luka Burgic has returned to hospital after a brief stay at home.
His mother, Erna, previously said she fears he may need skin grafts and lasers.
She also told Nine News last week that she was having flashbacks to the nightmare incident.
“It’s torture and I’m supposed to be his protector and I couldn’t protect him,” she said.
‘I’m having flashbacks all the time about what happened.
Nine-month-old Luka suffered life-threatening burns after being attacked in a Brisbane park
“I don’t know who would think of harming a small, innocent baby.”
TO Gofundme It was organised by Zara Mazza, a friend of Ms Burgic who was with her at the time of the attack.
By Sunday afternoon, the page had raised about $150,000, far exceeding its initial goal of $5,000.
Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro previously told Daily Mail Australia he was concerned the attacker could harm another baby.
“Two things can happen: it could have been an isolated incident and we hope he got caught, or for some perverse reason he found it exciting and daring and that encourages him to do it again,” he said.
Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro has a shocking theory about the attack
‘This case has had a huge impact. The media has covered it with great attention and sometimes these people get emboldened and encouraged by the press, they get excited in some way and that can lead them to commit further crimes.’
He said he was surprised that no one had come forward with information about the “cruel and insensitive criminal.”
“He may be protected by people who know him or family members, but I don’t think the lack of detection to date means the police are not doing their job,” Dr Watson-Munro said.
‘But the fact that this photo has been published, that it’s out there in cyberspace, I’m a little surprised that no one has come forward and that it hasn’t been detected yet.
“I would have thought that someone would have stepped forward and said ‘I recognise this person’, but as far as I know, unless the police keep their cards very secret, that hasn’t happened.”