Honk News– (Miami Beach, FL) – A couple in Florida has been taken into custody following reports that their five children were discovered unattended in a residence lacking food, electricity, and a functioning toilet.
Sanel Canovic, 40, and Azra Nikocevic, 33, are both charged with five counts of child neglect without bodily harm, according to court documents. On Tuesday afternoon, an investigation was initiated after a passerby noticed a 6-year-old boy crossing the street alone in the busy 700 block of 15th Street.
A bystander dialed emergency services, leading officers to the young child, who guided them to his nearby residence.
The discovery made by law enforcement was shocking, resulting in the parents being incarcerated. Bess mentioned that there were four additional children inside, all of whom were under the age of 12. Bess reported a complete lack of electricity, functioning toilets, and food.
The children expressed that they had not had a meal in more than 12 hours and were feeling quite hungry. Authorities brought the children to the precinct and provided them with meals while they worked to locate their guardians.
“They were nowhere to be found,” Bess said.
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The arrest affidavit sheds more light on the children’s situation. Authorities observed that the bathroom fixture in the residence was overflowing with waste.
The children reportedly informed them that their parents required them to shower after using the bathroom due to a lack of toilet paper in the apartment. Authorities found dirty cloths in the restroom. The children were dressed in dirty clothes and had an odor of urine, according to the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, they stated that they experienced a lack of electricity for approximately two months. The eldest daughter shared that they typically had breakfast and lunch at school, but during the Christmas break, they frequently found themselves without food.
On Tuesday, it was reported that their mother left them $20 for food at McDonald’s before heading to work.
“The parents would frequently share a meal in the evening without providing food for the children,” the affidavit reportedly said. “They would often leave the children at home while they went out to dinner.”
The officers successfully contacted the mother and instructed her to report to the police station. She mentioned that they had fallen behind on their payment, resulting in the electricity being turned off approximately six weeks ago.
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Nikocevic confirmed that she provided her children with $20 for food, but she had no means of verifying whether they actually consumed anything, as they were unable to reach her while she was at work.
Canovic showed up at the police station but chose not to engage with officers without legal representation. Authorities took him to the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation facility, where he is currently held on a $7,500 bond.
Nikocevic has been granted release on her own recognizance. Their upcoming court appearance is set for January 30.