International manhunt for man accused of throwing hot coffee on baby ramps up after 18 months
Updated . First published at
The international manhunt for a man accused of throwing scalding hot coffee on a nine-month-old baby boy in a Brisbane park has ramped up.
Baby Luka was on a picnic with his mother at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner when a man approached and poured coffee on the infant about midday on August 27, 2024.
The attack triggered a major police investigation to identify and apprehend the alleged offender, who is believed to have fled the country to China.
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The baby boy needed four surgeries for burns to his face, arms and legs. 9News
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Following 18 months with no arrest, Chinese officials are now being sent to Brisbane to assist in the investigation, it can be revealed.
China's Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has confirmed that investigators in China will travel to the Queensland capital to assist Australian police.
"There is going to be a working group from China coming to Australia, going to Brisbane to investigate, to see what exactly happened, how it happened," Xiao said.
Police allege the 33-year-old poured coffee on the baby before flying from Sydney to China.
Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said last year that the alleged offender was known to be in China.
Xiao said Australian officials have been working with their Chinese counterparts.
Police have released this image of a man they believe poured hot coffee over a baby in a Brisbane park. Queensland Police Service
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"We are serious in taking the necessary actions as a follow-up," he added.
The nine-month-old underwent four surgeries for burns to his face, arms and legs.
Queensland Police Service Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy told 4BC's Peter Fegan last year that the investigation had "absolutely" remained ongoing.
"This was a horrible incident that happened almost a year ago, it struck our investigators pretty hard," Chelepy said.
"I give credit to those investigators, they're still working very hard on this, this isn't something we've parked in the corner, this is a very serious offence, and they're working hard on it.
"What I can say is we're still working with our international partners to progress this matter, and to get a resolution here."
Chelepy could not confirm if Australian investigators had been sent to China.
There is no extradition treaty in place between Australia and China.
However, authorities have said China can prosecute its citizens for conduct which occurred outside China.
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