A New York woman, who set a random house on fire in 2024, killing a 5-year-old boy asleep on the second floor, received the maximum sentence for murder and other charges on Wednesday. This act of arson was reportedly in retaliation for an alleged assault on her father, but she later confessed to targeting the wrong home.

“What Taquida Hendrix chose to do that day is beyond forgiveness, irredeemable, and fundamentally wrong,” stated Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sunderland during Hendrix’s sentencing, as reported by local CBS affiliate WROC.

“My grandson received no mercy or reprieve,” said Karen Mitchell, the grandmother of the victim, Malakai Stovall, to the court. “She is accountable for the atrocious act that claimed Kai Kai’s life in the most horrific manner possible. We earnestly request a sentence that mirrors the vast suffering she inflicted.”

In September, 33-year-old Hendrix was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree arson, and second-degree assault related to the fire in July 2024. On Wednesday, she was sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder and arson charges, along with an additional seven years for assault and five years of post-release supervision. Assistant District Attorney Sunderland described the sentence as “absolutely appropriate.”

“She showed no remorse whatsoever,” Malakai’s mother, Brianna Akers, remarked in court, according to WROC. “I believe she deserves life in prison without the possibility of parole. This has been the most harrowing experience of my life, and I hope no one here ever has to endure such a tragedy.”

On July 28, 2024, at approximately 2 a.m., flames engulfed Malakai’s home after Hendrix, her sister Tiakayla Hendrix, 21, and a third accomplice, Roy Chambers, arrived at the residence to set it ablaze. This act was intended as revenge for an alleged assault on the Hendrix sisters’ father earlier that day. According to local ABC affiliate WHAM, the group mistakenly believed someone involved in the earlier incident resided there.

“Although Malakai Stovall was not her intended target, Taquida Hendrix set the house ablaze without a care of whose lives were destroyed,” said District Attorney Perry Duckles in a September 2025 press release after Hendrix’s conviction. “Malakai Stovall was a joyful, energetic 5-year-old boy who was the light of his family’s lives,” Sunderland said in the release. “Taquida Hendrix intentionally started the fire that ripped this young child from his entire family.”

According to prosecutors, Taquida Hendrix “doused the front porch” of Malakai’s house while he was home with a babysitter. Her sister and Chambers were serving as lookouts for her. They both pleaded guilty to second-degree arson for their roles in assisting Hendrix and were sentenced to nine years and 12 years in prison, respectively.

“I couldn’t imagine losing one of my kids,” Chambers told Malakai’s family during his sentencing, according to local NBC affiliate WHEC.

“I truly understand your pain,” Chambers said. “I’m sorry for what took place.”

Tiakayla Hendrix, who testified against her sister at her trial in September, also expressed remorse for what happened.

“I’m sorry, truly,” she said. “I’m sorry for this incident. It wasn’t my intention to hurt anybody. I hope you guys can forgive me with all your heart and accept my apology.”

Taquida Hendrix, meanwhile, chose to remain silent at her sentencing after being advised to do so by her attorney, who provided a brief statement.

“I think there’s a big difference between those who actively try and pursue and commit murder, intentional murder,” attorney Paul Guerrieri said, according to WHAM. “I think there’s a difference between that and making a horrible, horrible, foolish, and stupid decision that ends up resulting in a tragedy,” Guerrieri concluded.

It took Monroe County jurors just 30 minutes to convict Taquida Hendrix, according to WHEC.

“I just would like to say, she is responsible for this heinous crime,” Mitchell blasted at Taquida Hendrix’s sentencing. “She robbed ‘Kai Kai’ of his life in a very violent and horrible way, the most horrible way imaginable.”

Sunderland told reporters, “I hope they feel some solace in this, some closure, because that’s all that we can give them. Taquida Hendrix doesn’t deserve to be remembered. We should only remember the wonderful things Malakai did and all the hope he could have been.”