Mother and baby Luka attacked in Hanlon Park picnic incident

On August 27, a nine-month-old baby named Luka was severely injured during a picnic with his mother at Hanlon Park in Brisbane. A stranger approached them and poured a thermos of scalding coffee over the infant before fleeing the scene. Initially, Luka was expected to be discharged from the hospital sooner, but he developed gastro-enteritis after undergoing multiple surgeries. His mother described the incident as shocking, noting that the attack occurred just minutes after they arrived at the park to meet friends from her 'mum's group.' Queensland Police are investigating the incident, with Detective Inspector Paul Dalton stating that the accused appeared to have knowledge of police methods and was conducting counter-surveillance after the attack. The police have been hindered in their investigation due to receiving incorrect information initially, but they have since traveled to New South Wales and Victoria to gather more details. A warrant has been issued for the suspect, who has a history of traveling in and out of Australia since 2019. The police described the attack as cowardly, emphasizing the vulnerability of a young mother and her baby. The suspect's actions were premeditated, as he approached them from behind and took advantage of the situation. Authorities are aware of the country the suspect fled to but have not disclosed this information while the investigation is ongoing. The incident has left Luka's family devastated, particularly as police missed the suspect by a mere 12 hours. The community is rallying around the family, expressing outrage and concern over the attack on such a young child.