New CCTV released in hunt for stranger who scalded baby with hot coffee leaving him with 60% burns as parents issue plea
COPS have released new images of a man wanted after scalding hot coffee was poured over a nine-month-old in a “callous” and “completely unprovoked” attack.
The tot was at a picnic with his mum and friends in Brisbane, Australia when an unknown man approached the group.
The sick stranger allegedly poured a thermos of scalding hot coffee over him before fleeing the scene – and remains on the run.
Now cops have released new images of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the alleged assault.
He is described as aged 30 to 40, of proportionate build and with tanned skin.
He was seen on CCTV wearing a black hat, glasses, a blue checkered button-up shirt and shorts in the most recent pics released on Thursday by Queensland Police.
The baby boy’s mum has since spoken out on the horrendous attack and shared new photos of her child wrapped in bandages as he continues to recover in hospital.
The traumatised mum posted on social media: “My baby boy didn’t deserve this, no one does. I wish he poured the hot coffee all over me and not my boy.
“Please if anyone has any CCTV footage around the Lincoln street / Regina street in stones corner please speak to police. This man needs to be found and charged.
“Thank you to all the lovely people at the park for pouring water on him and for the lady who took us to her apartment so we could get him in a cold shower asap.”
An off-duty nurse reportedly ran to the baby’s aid after she heard screams from her apartment nearby.
She heroically took the boy back to her home and kept him under a cold shower until paramedics arrived.
The nine-month-old was then rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
The tot suffered serious but non-life-threatening burns to 60 per cent of his body – including his face, upper body and arms.
Footage released by cops on Wednesday shows the alleged attacker running from the park.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton confirmed on Wednesday that the injured baby was in a stable condition.
He called the attack “callous and cowardly” and “completely unprovoked”.
The detective said: “In 35 years of being a police officer, I’ve never come across a job where a child this young, in these circumstances, has been attacked. It shouldn’t happen.
“This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and we’ve thrown all our resources that we can possibly to it at this stage to hold this person accountable.”
The tot’s mum spoke on Wednesday about how she had been left in complete shock after the ordeal.
She told 9News: “It’s torture and I’m supposed to be his protector and I couldn’t protect him.
“I’m just having flashbacks all the time about what happened and I wish that he had poured the coffee over me.
“I don’t know who would think it is okay to harm a little, innocent baby.”
Family friend Zara Mazza was at the picnic when the attack occurred and has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the baby’s medical bills.
The page read: “This was a callous, random attack on my friends baby. He does not deserve this pain and suffering.
“[He] is currently in hospital and is suspected to stay for a while, whilst he is treated for severe burns.
“He has a long recovery ahead of him which will include further doctors, specialists, hospital appointments.”
Inspector Dalton said cops are working “around the clock” to find the perpetrator.