Murder charge over death of Tauranga 5-year-old, sisters to appear in court

Wednesday, 22 December 2021

Malachi Subecz, 5, was found injured at a Te Puna property at the start of November, and died in hospital (file photo).

A woman has been charged with murder over the death of a 5-year-old in Tauranga.

Malachi Subecz was found with injuries at a Te Puna property on November 1 and was treated in Tauranga Hospital, a statement from police said.

He was later airlifted to Starship Hospital in Auckland, where he died on November 12.

Police detective senior sergeant Craig Rawlinson said two women would appear in Tauranga District Court on Wednesday, one charged with murder and the other with perverting the course of justice.

Michaela Barriball, 27, has been charged with murder, disfiguring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and injuring with intent to injure.

She was previously been charged with ill-treating Subecz prior to his death.

Her sister, Sharron Barriball, 37, is also appearing on a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.