A baby who was scalded by boiling coffee in an alleged random attack in a Brisbane park is back to “walking and causing mayhem” as he awaits his third surgery.
Nine-month-old Luka was with his mother and a friend in Hanlon Park on August 27 when he was allegedly attacked by a man who threw a thermos of coffee at him.
The man allegedly fled the scene and despite police releasing images of an individual they wish to speak to regarding the incident, he has still not been located nearly a week later.
In an update Monday, the boy’s mother said the baby was walking again ahead of a third surgery that she hoped would provide “more information on next steps.”
“Luka has proven to be incredibly resilient. He’s up and walking and causing chaos. He’s a very strong kid and we’re very, very proud of him,” she said.
In an earlier update, the woman said Luka suffered severe burns, and the ones under his neck and chest will likely leave scars. The possibility of a skin graft has been raised, the mother said.
She said she was “blown away” by the support she and her family had received through a GoFundMe campaign set up to pay for Luka’s medical expenses.
“This GoFundMe will be able to help Luka with all of his healthcare needs, which is truly a weight off our shoulders,” she said.
The nine-month-old baby (pictured) was attacked in a Brisbane park on Tuesday.
On Thursday morning, police released a second photo (pictured) of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the alleged assault in a Brisbane park.
“Not only that, but it will also help myself, my family and my mental health; given the nature of the event, it will be an extremely long journey ahead of us all.”
The campaign was launched in the days after the alleged attack with a goal of just $5,000; by midday Monday, it had raised more than $110,000.
Police previously described the man they want to speak to as a man in his 30s or 40s, with a well-proportioned build and tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a T-shirt and shorts.
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the attack as “almost an ambush”, while Premier Steven Miles added that officers were “working hard”.