"We loved and looked after Andrija as if he was our own": Foster family of teen murdered in Leskovac grieves

Photo: D.K.

17-year-old Andrija I. died last night in the General Hospital in Leskovac after he was beaten, allegedly by Nemanja A. (18), while returning home from school.

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The foster parents of the murdered boy are beside themselves, in disbelief over what happened.

"He was a withdrawn child, he didn't even go out. I don't know anything... He went to school, he was coming home... We heard in the media that he was killed. He has been with us since 2011, nine years. Golden child. He also has an older brother and he is with us. We don't know anything about the one who attacked him, we don't even know the cause. He never complained that he was afraid or that someone was threatening him, I just know that this is a disaster," the boy's foster parent, Goran Velickovic, told Telegraf.rs.

Photo: D.K.

His wife Zorica didn't even have the strength to speak. She got taken ill and the doctors had to intervene. Goran was crying and wondering why the teen was attacked.

"We love them as if they are our own. This is indescribable, we must live after this. He had a difficult childhood, but I would not like to talk about that, to go after his parents. We are taking better care of them (foster children) than we took of our own," said Goran.

Photo: D.K.

Nemanja A. was arrested on suspicion of inflicting severe, life-threatening injuries to the teenager, from which died.

The victim was struck several times on the head and body, the assailant using his hands and feet.

(Telegraf.rs)