Woman killed 5-year-old boy in house fire as retaliation: DA
Share this @internewscast.com

Left inset: Taquida Hendrix (WHAM/YouTube). Right inset: Malakai Stovall (GoFundMe). Background: The residence allegedly set ablaze by Taquida Hendrix, resulting in the death of 5-year-old Malakai Stovall (WHAM/YouTube).

A young boy aged five tragically lost his life while resting on the upper floor of his New York residence in what is believed to be an intentional house fire. This week, the alleged perpetrator faces trial, with her sibling poised to testify against her, according to reports.

Facing charges of murder and arson, 31-year-old Taquida Hendrix is accused of orchestrating a fire in Rochester in July 2024 that led to the death of Malakai Stovall. This information comes from prosecutors and the victim’s family, as reported by local ABC affiliate WHAM.

On July 28, around 2 a.m., Stovall’s home was engulfed in flames after Taquida Hendrix, her sister Tiakayla Hendrix, 21, and a third individual, Roy Chambers, allegedly arrived at the scene to intentionally set the fire, intending to retaliate for an earlier incident involving the Hendrixes’ father, as per prosecutors’ claims. The trio reportedly believed that someone connected to the earlier altercation resided there, according to WHAM.

Reportedly, Taquida Hendrix doused the two-story dwelling with gasoline, igniting it while Tiakayla Hendrix and Chambers stood watch. Malakai sustained severe injuries in the fire and succumbed to them in a nearby hospital days later.

“My baby was up there [in the house] for 21 minutes with no heartbeat,” Malakai’s mother, Brianna Akers, told WHAM on July 31.

Both Tiakayla Hendrix and Chambers faced murder and arson charges; however, they accepted plea deals last month on the arson charge in return for their testimonies against Taquida Hendrix, say prosecutors. Although Tiakayla was involved in purchasing the lighter used for the fire ignition, she did not partake in actually starting the blaze.

According to her lawyer, “She certainly did not know there was a child inside that building at the time,” per WHAM. “She had no role in actually setting the fire itself,” the lawyer said.

Karen Mitchell, Malakai’s grandmother, told local media outlets that the family was shocked by the plea deals and expected all three individuals to go on trial.

“I just cried. I mean, it’s very bittersweet,” Mitchell told WHAM. “I want them to understand it wasn’t just, you know, this 5-year-old, or this little boy, who died in a fire; he was a little boy who lived, and he loved life.”

Mitchell added, “These people were the lookouts to make sure no one caught them setting a fire that ended my grandson’s life.”

Taquida Hendrix is currently locked up at the Monroe County Jail as her trial unfolds. Tiakayla Hendrix and Chambers are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Justice Sotomayor Issues Strong Critique of Colleagues in Death Penalty Ruling

Left: FILE – This undated photo provided by the Alabama Department of…

Tennessee Deputy in Critical Condition Following Vicious Assault: Community Rallies for Support

At 10:15 p.m. on Saturday night in Knox County, Tennessee, a 911…

Family Files Lawsuit Against Man Accused of Assaulting Young Girl in Park

Inset: Gary Lansky (Detroit Police Department). Background: Saida Mashrah talks with a…

Tragic Inferno: Man Charged in Heartbreaking Deaths of Girlfriend and Baby in House Fire

Inset, left to right: Hidane Haile making his first court appearance on…

Arizona Tragedy: Distracted Gamer Accepts Plea Deal Following Toddler’s Death in Hot Car

An Arizona resident has admitted guilt in a tragic incident involving his…

Indiana Father Sentenced for Neglect Leading to Daughter’s Death from Type 1 Diabetes Complications

An Indiana courtroom witnessed the sentencing of an Evansville father on Thursday,…

Police Report: Man Arrested for Assaulting Pregnant Girlfriend Amid Paternity Dispute

Share A Texas man faces accusations of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend after…

Expert Taskforce Assumes Command in the Search for Dezi Freeman

An expert taskforce is set to spearhead the ongoing hunt for Dezi…

Trump-Appointed Judge Dismisses Key California Redistricting Challenge: What It Means for Future Elections

Right: President Donald Trump points to a reporter to ask a question…

Shocking Tragedy: Father Fatally Beats Son While Parents Mislead Investigators

Inset left: Dante Campbell (GoFundMe). Inset middle: Charlotte Kurek (Milwaukee County Sheriff”s…

High School Student Detained for Carrying Firearm with Tampered Serial Number

By Staff Reporter GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a recent development, 18-year-old Devon…

Son Charged with Killing Parents Following Addiction Intervention

Inset: Camden Burton Nicholson (Orange County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Orange County Superior…