17 Nov 2021

Two women arrested over death of 5-year-old boy

4:24 pm on 17 November 2021

Police in Tauranga have arrested two people over the homicide of 5-year-old Malachi Subecz.

Malachi Subecz.

Malachi Subecz. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

The child was found with injuries at a Te Puna property on 1 November and treated in Tauranga Hospital.

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

A 27-year-old Te Puna woman has been charged with wilfully ill-treating a child, and a 37-year-old Tauranga woman has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Both women appeared briefly in Tauranga District Court today and are due to reappear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

"The homicide investigation is ongoing, and we would still like to hear from anyone who has interacted with Malachi over the last 2-3 months," a police statement said this afternoon.

Police said anyone with information should contact 105 and quote file number 211001/6453. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.