Malachi Subecz' mother has finished giving evidence - in the first day at the coronial inquiry into his death

The five-year-old was murdered by carer, Michaela Barriball, in 2021 - dying of a severe brain injury after months of abuse.

Jasmine Cotter was in prison at the time, and broke down in tears describing her final phone call with Malachi.

During cross examination, she described how Barriball fooled herself and those around her, into thinking she was kind and loving to Malachi.

Cotter says it breaks her soul - to know the boy's daycare knew about his injuries.