Mum charged after her ‘malnourished’ teen son is found dead in Sydney home

Keti Jovanovska is accused of failing to provide her teen son Joshua Djuric with food, medicine or medical care after police found him dead inside a Yagoona home.

Yagoona mother Keti Jovanovska has been charged with manslaughter over the death of her allegedly malnourished son. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A mother has been charged with manslaughter after her teenage son allegedly starved to death.

Keti Jovanovska is accused of failing to provide her son Joshua Djuric with food, medicine or medical care after police found him dead inside a Yagoona home last week in an emaciated state.

Police sources said it would be alleged Jovanovska, 52, fed the 18-year-old just bread and soft drink, and did not seek help when his health was deteriorating.

When quizzed on the incident at her home on Wednesday, Ms Jovanovska said her son was autistic but “of course I loved him”.

The Daily Telegraph understands the teen did not attend school.

Police will allege Keti Jovanovska did not seek help when her son’s health was deteriorating. Picture: Jeremy Piper

It is understood Ms Jovanovska went to her neighbours for help when she found her son about 10.30pm on Monday, September 26.

They rang police and emergency services, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Residents of the street said they had never seen Joshua. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Court documents tendered in her bail application revealed police allege he died at some point between 6pm and 10.40pm that night, potentially more than four hours before the alarm was raised.

In a statement, NSW Police said Ms Jovanovska was questioned at Bankstown Police Station, before being transported to hospital for assessment.

The next morning she was taken back to the police station and charged with Joshua’s manslaughter, before facing Bankstown Local Court.

Residents of the street where the teen and his mother lived said they never sighted Joshua.

A number of windows on Keti Jovanovska’s home are boarded up. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A discarded mattress can be seen sitting in the front yard, while multiple windows are boarded up.

Detectives returned to the street where the mother and son lived on Wednesday and were seen talking with neighbouring residents.

City of Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said he was shocked and saddened to hear details of the teenager’s death in his local area.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said the teenager’s death was “very distressing” for the local community. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“It is very distressing, and I cannot believe in this day and age something like this has occurred,” Mr Asfour said.

“How did this happen and how many others are at risk? The community is angry and deserve answers.”

Ms Jovanovska is due to return to court on November 30 and she is on strict conditional bail until then.

Bankstown detectives are investigating whether he had any physical or mental conditions existing which prevented him from caring for himself.

The home where the mother and son live was bought by Ms Jovanovska’s parents, but neighbours said they had relocated to Victoria and left it to her and Joshua.