The identity of a man who allegedly poured hot coffee on a Queensland baby has been exposed by media in China, as it was revealed the child would likely have injuries “for life”.

The 33-year-old suspect – a foreign national – fled Australia in the days after the “horrific” attack on a toddler in a Brisbane park in August.

Queensland police have not released his name, nor to which country he had escaped while an international manhunt was under way.

However, media outlets in China this week exposed his identity – revealing he was a Chinese national who had been in Australia on a student visa.

Chinese news outlets reported he was born in Hangzhou, China.

The man allegedly poured a flask of hot coffee on baby Luka while the child was on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, Stones Corner, on August 27.

Four days later, on August 31, the suspect flew out of Australia from Sydney before police were able to confirm his identity.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham was asked on Brisbane radio on Thursday whether Chinese media reporting the suspect’s name would hinder the investigation.

Massingham said it was a “distraction”, but the investigation to track down and bring the man to justice was continuing.

“Sometimes these posts can be a distraction to what we are attempting to achieve, but that search will continue until we locate that person,” he told host Peter Fegan.

“Those things always need to remain confidential up until the time that we go public with the information.

“Sometimes those sorts of things are a distraction to the investigation, but we’re very much committed to finding the individual responsible.”

Massingham revealed that, sadly, Luka would “have those injuries for life”.

He said the alleged crime was “up there as one of the most heinous, certainly the most cowardly” he had worked on in his police career.

Luka suffered significant burns to his face, arms and legs and has had four operations at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

Police have a warrant for grievous bodily harm, which carries a possible life sentence.

Previously, Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the suspect had a visa and addresses “across the eastern seaboard”, including Victoria and Sydney’s outer suburbs.

However, he was not previously known to live in Queensland.

Dalton said releasing the man’s name or the country he had fled to could put the investigation at risk.