Woman convicted for murder of boy, 5, in Tauranga
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
A woman has been convicted for the murder of a 5-year-old in Tauranga.
Malachi Subecz was found with injuries at a Te Puna property on November 1, was treated in Tauranga Hospital and later airlifted to Starship Hospital in Auckland where he died on November 12.
Michaela Barriball, 27, pleaded guilty to four charges related to his death at the High Court in Tauranga on Wednesday.
**READ MORE:
* Tauranga 5-year-old's death: Sisters to stand trial on murder, perverting justice charges in 2023
* Murder charge over death of Tauranga 5-year-old, sisters to appear in court
* Sisters facing charges over death of 5-year-old Tauranga boy plead not guilty
**
She was convicted on a charge of murder, and failing her legal duty to care for someone under the age of 18.
She was also convicted for injuring with intent to injure and intentionally causing suffering, namely physical and verbal abuse, failing to provide medical assistance, and causing him to be malnourished.
Her sister, Sharron Barriball, 37, was previously convicted with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Both sisters would be sentenced in Rotorua District Court on June 30.