A horrifying incident in Brisbane, Australia, has triggered an international manhunt after a man allegedly poured scalding hot liquid on a 9-month-old baby boy, authorities said. The unprovoked attack occurred on August 27 in Hanlon Park, located in the Stones Corner area of Brisbane, Queensland, according to the New York Post.
According to Queensland Police, the baby boy was with his family when “a man not known to the group approached them and poured a hot liquid onto the child, before leaving the scene.” Emergency crews were called immediately, and the infant was rushed to the hospital with serious burns. Fortunately, the boy has since been released from the hospital.
Police have been conducting “extensive investigations” into the shocking assault. They released CCTV footage of the man fleeing the scene shortly after the attack, describing him as “around 30 to 40 years old, of a proportionate build, with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt, and shorts.”
On Monday, detectives confirmed that the Morningside Child Protection Investigation Unit identified the suspect, describing him only as a “33-year-old foreign national.” Queensland Police revealed that the man had already left the country, adding that they are now working closely with national and international partner agencies to further the investigation.
“The man has since left the country, and Queensland Police are working with national and international partner agencies to progress this investigation further,” police said in their statement.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts or details that could aid the investigation to come forward and contact Queensland Police immediately.
As the investigation continues, no additional information has been made available. The incident has shocked the local community, and efforts to locate the suspect are now expanding beyond Australia.