An international manhunt is underway for a man who poured scalding hot coffee on a nine-month-old boy in Brisbane, Australia.
The seemingly random attack left the baby with "serious burns" on his face and limbs, reported the BBC.
The baby had been at a picnic with his family on Aug. 31 when a "strange man" approached, emptied a flask on the child, and fled on foot.
An off-duty nurse who lived near the park heard the commotion and rushed down to help, taking the baby to her apartment and placing him under a cold shower, Straits Times reported.
He was then taken to Queensland Children's Hospital but suffered severe injuries, and has already been through multiple surgeries.
Motive unknown
The 33-year-old man is now wanted for acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm.
Six days after the incident, and just 12 hours before the police could confirm his identity, he fled the country.
The Australia police is working with their international counterparts to locate the suspect.
Photo from Australia police
His motive remains unknown, and a member of the Queensland police told media it was one of the "most complex and frustrating investigations" he has led.
The police were initially given the wrong name for the suspect, the detective said.
"It soon became apparent to us that this person was aware of police methodologies, was certainly conducting counter-surveillance activities, which made the investigation quite complex,” he said, according to The Guardian.
He confirmed that the police knew which country the suspect had fled to, and his name.
However, disclosing the information could jeopardise the investigation, he added.
The detective also called the case "callous and cowardly".
"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," he said.
The police has since released CCTV footage with a request for anyone who recognises him, or with information on the case, to come forward.
Gif from Australia police
"Devastated"
Speaking to the media, the infant's mother said that he has been resilient, and is "walking and causing chaos".
"He is such a strong little boy and we are so, so proud of him," she said.
However, his physical healing might take years, and he might need further skin grafts.
She added that she has been living in fear and anxiety, and was "devastated" to hear that the suspect has escaped the country.
"It sounds like they were very, very close in catching him,” she said.
“I just want to know why, why he did this? These are questions that may always be unanswered...Honestly, I cry every single day."
Top image from Australian police