MIAMI BEACH, FL – A distressing scene unfolded in Miami Beach as authorities arrested a couple on multiple felony counts of child neglect. The arrest followed a police investigation that revealed their five children were living in deplorable conditions in an apartment lacking basic necessities.
The incident came to light when a concerned neighbor noticed a six-year-old child wandering alone on the bustling 15th Street, an area notorious for heavy traffic. The child led officers to their home, where they discovered four siblings living without adult supervision.
Upon entry, officers were confronted with a grim situation. The children, dressed in soiled clothing, emitted a strong odor of unwashed bodies and urine. The apartment itself was devoid of electricity, food, a functioning toilet, or a working stove, offering only a single bed for the children to share. When questioned, all the children admitted they were hungry, having last eaten the previous night at around 10 p.m. They also revealed they had been without electricity for nearly two months.
The parents, identified as 40-year-old Samuel Karnovich and 33-year-old Azra Nikola Jovic, were subsequently taken into custody. During questioning, Jovic claimed they were in the process of securing food assistance and denied intentionally depriving their children of food. However, she conceded that they were behind on their electric bill.
Both parents appeared in bond court, where the judge set their bail at $2,500 each. Jovic has since posted bond and has been released. The situation has cast a spotlight on the challenges some families face in securing basic needs, raising questions about the effectiveness of social support systems.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance in communities, as it was the neighbor’s quick response that ultimately brought the children’s plight to the attention of authorities. The children are now in the care of child protective services, receiving the necessary care and support.
As the investigation continues, authorities are examining the family’s circumstances to determine the appropriate course of action. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the societal obligation to protect vulnerable children and ensure they are raised in safe and nurturing environments.
The community remains on edge as it grapples with the reality of such neglect occurring in their midst, hoping for swift justice and improvements in the systems meant to prevent such tragedies.