Baby Lukas mother makes sad admission about his recovery as she reveals the staggering number of surgeries her son has been forced to undergo after being doused with scalding coffee by a stranger
The mother of a baby who was left with serious burns after being doused in scalding coffee by a stranger has revealed it could take years for her son to recover.
The mother of a baby who was left with serious burns after being doused in scalding coffee by a stranger has revealed it could take years for her son to recover.
The mum was on a picnic with her son Luka in Hanlon Park, in Brisbanes inner south east, when a Chinese national approached them and tipped a thermos of hot coffee over the infant before fleeing on August 27.
Baby Luka suffered serious burns to 60 per cent of his body, including his face, upper body and arms.
The now one-year-old boy has undergone seven operations at the Queensland Childrens Hospital since the sickening attack.
Lukas mum has revealed her son has a long road to recovery as he heals from the mental, emotional and physical damages from the attack.
In those first few weeks, we had no idea what his future was going to look like, especially because the burns were so significant, she told The Courier Mail.
He didnt have a bath for like a month when he had all the bandages, and when we poured water over his head when we had a bath, he started screaming,
Lukas mum said her son was still wary around people and had become shy when in a group setting, often hiding behind her legs before warming up to people.
Baby Luka suffered serious burns to 60 per cent of his body, including his face, upper body and arms, after a stranger doused him with scalding coffee while he was at the park with his mum
Lukas mum explained her son had a long road to recovery has he heals from the emotional, mental and physical damage caused by the attack
He has since become more comfortable having a bath and relaxed around people once he assesses the situation.
Lukas mum said her sons skin had healed really well since the synthetic skin grafts, however his dad explained it would take years for the scars to settle.
We are definitely optimistic at this point, he already looks better than we ever thought, Lukas father said.
Hopefully by the time he becomes a teenager you wont even be able to see the scars anymore.
In another blow to the family, experts have warned it could takes years to bring Lukas attacker to justice.
The 33-year-old man responsible for the attack was caught on CCTV footage leaving the park.
However, three days after the attack he flew out of Sydney Airport with his passport just hours before police confirmed his identity.
Queensland police, along with the Australian Federal Police, have issued an arrest warrant for the man who is wanted for acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm.
The co-operation between domestic and overseas agencies is significant, and progress is being made, QPS and AFP said in a joint statement.
The 33-year-old man responsible for the attack was caught on CCTV footage leaving the park
Detectives know his name and nationality but are refusing to reveal it publicly for fear of jeopardising the investigation.
Legal experts have warned the extradition process could be long and challenging even when authorities locate and arrest the man.
Jasmina Ceic, partner at Nyman Gibson Miralis law firm, which specialises in extradition, said it could take years to bring the man back to Australia.
She explained documents, affidavits, evidence, finding where he lived and confirming his identity could take a minimum of three years.
Ms Ceic added it could take anywhere up to five years for authorities to start the extradition process as it is extremely complex and is dependent on the co-operation of another country.
