A man accused of throwing hot coffee over 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 organisations around the world amid concerns the man responsible for the horrific attack has fled the scene.
Little Luka Burgic was picnicking with his mother Erna at Hanlon Park, in Brisbane’s south-east, when the man approached them around midday on August 27 and poured a thermos of hot coffee over the baby before running away.
The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms. As a result of the unprovoked attack, he has undergone four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
There are serious concerns that the unknown attacker is trying to evade justice by hiding abroad.
But former researcher Charlie Bezzina said the man’s act was so heinous that it was only a matter of time before he was caught – and that even the poorest third world countries would use their limited resources to find the fugitive.
“If he’s fled to another state, he won’t last much longer,” the award-winning detective, who has led several manhunts in his career, told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Interstate police relations are very strong. Within Australia there will be no problem (finding him).
Veteran detective Charlie Bezzina has called on anyone with information to come forward
Luka Burgic’s mother, Erna, says she suffers from flashbacks of the horrific ordeal
‘When he goes abroad, there is sometimes a concern that in some third world countries they don’t really take into account crimes that are committed outside their borders.
‘But in this case, given the enormity of the horrific act this man allegedly committed on a young baby, it will strike a chord in the hearts of every government – and every law enforcement agency – around the world.
“And no one wants the bad publicity that comes from having this suspect, who is suspected of committing this heinous crime, in their country and they don’t cooperate.”
Mr Bezzina, who has solved some of Australia’s most brutal murders, said he was devastated by the heartbreaking images of the man’s baby victim.
“When I heard about it, it was really horrible,” he said.
‘But what really affected me, and I think the community as a whole, was when we saw the images of the poor child covered in bandages.
‘We all have feelings, and when people attack the elderly, children and the defenseless, it hurts.’
He urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward, for the sake of little Luka and his grieving family.
Police are looking for this man in connection with the shocking attack on August 27 in Brisbane
Little Luka has undergone four surgeries after the sickening, unprovoked attack
“My sincere condolences go out to them because burns always leave scars,” he said.
‘And unfortunately that will be a daily reminder of this comrade, of this horrible act that was committed on such an innocent, innocent child.
“We need to bring someone to justice and make him or her answer for these charges.”
A photo of the man authorities say is responsible for the attack is circulating online. Queensland police said they would provide a further update on the investigation on Monday.
The man is described as between 30 and 40 years old, with a proportionate build and tanned skin.
During the attack he was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts.
The incident took place in the family-friendly Hanlon Park in Brisbane’s south-east
Police tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed clothes outside a church.
He then took a taxi into Brisbane city centre, where he drove to Caxton Street.
Luka Burgic is now back in hospital after a short stay at home.
His mother, Erna, had previously said that she fears he will need skin grafts and laser treatment.
She told Nine News last week that she was having flashbacks of the nightmare incident.
“It’s torture and I should be his protector, but I couldn’t protect him,” she said.
‘I keep having flashbacks 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 it was okay to hurt an innocent baby.”
A gafundme was set up by Zara Mazza, a friend of Ms Burgic who was with her at the time of the attack.
As of Sunday afternoon, the page had raised approximately $150,000, far exceeding its original goal of $5,000.
Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro previously told Daily Mail Australia he was concerned the perpetrator could harm another baby.
“There are two things that could happen. It could have been a one-off incident and we hope he gets caught or he found it – for some perverse reason – exciting and daring and that might encourage him to do it again,” he said.
Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro has a shocking theory about the attack
‘The awareness of this case is quite high. It’s been well covered in the media and sometimes these people get encouraged and hyped up by the press, they get excited about it in a way and that can lead to further offences.’
He said he was surprised that no one had come forward with information about the “cruel and callous perpetrator.”
“He may be protected by people who know him or by family members, but I don’t think the fact that he hasn’t been discovered yet means that the police aren’t doing their job,” Dr Watson-Munro said.
‘But the fact that this photo has been published and that it is circulating on the Internet, I am a little surprised that no one has come forward and that he has not been tracked down yet.
‘I would have expected that by now someone would have come forward and said: “I recognise this person”, but as far as I know that has not happened, unless the police are laying their cards on the table.’
