A video from a public event in the eastern Serbian town of Bor sparked strong reactions on Saturday after a woman, questioned by President Aleksandar Vucic, disclosed in front of her ill child that she was not his biological mother.
Žena govori da ne može priča pred detetom.
Monstrum insistira da mu se kaže u čemu je problem.
Žena pred detetom otkriva da mu ona nije majka nego da je staratelj i da mu je majka preminula.PAKAO
— Суки – @doktorzakrave (2024924566552719616)
on
February 20, 2026
The incident occurred during a meeting between Vucic and residents. Gordana Karic, who receives social assistance, sought help over a nine-month suspension of a benefit for the child, who has heart problems and has undergone several operations.
Instead of receiving an immediate explanation for the delay, Vucic asked about her property and inspections by the social welfare centre, suggesting there might be a legal obstacle to the payments.
Karic said she owned no property other than the house where they live and stressed that she could not discuss certain details in front of the child. After further questioning, she tearfully told the audience and cameras: “I cannot adopt him, I am his aunt. His biological mother died 13 years ago. I did not want him to find out this way that I am not his mother.”
The child sat beside her throughout the exchange.
Following the disclosure, Vucic said procedures were complex but pledged efforts to resolve the case, adding that she was “certainly his mother because she takes care of him”.
The footage drew criticism on social media and in some media outlets, with commentators accusing authorities of insensitivity and of publicly exposing a private family matter.