A Rochester woman was convicted of intentionally setting a duplex on fire, which trapped and killed a five-year-old boy last summer.
A state Supreme Court jury on Thursday, Sept. 18, found Taquida Hendrix, 32, guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree arson and second-degree assault, all felonies, in connection with the fire and death of Malakai Stovall on July 29, 2024, according to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
Taquida Hendrix doused the front porch of the duplex at 1290 Portland Ave. with a flammable substance and ignited it, which sparked the fire, according to the DA’s Office. Malakai was inside the home with his 19-year-old babysitter. Both were trapped inside and were rescued by firefighters, officers said last year. Malakai lived at 1290 Portland with his parents, who were out of town at the time of the blaze.
The boy, according to the DA’s Office and those who testified at the trial, was not the intended target. Testimony provided in court showed that the fire was intended for the boy’s duplex neighbors.
Malakai was found unconscious in a second-floor bedroom and was rescued by firefighters. He suffered burns to more than 75% of his body as a result of a fire and died from his injuries three days later. The babysitter was also rescued and was treated for smoke inhalation. Two Rochester firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze.
Two others – Tiakayla Hendrix, 22, and Roy Chambers, 36 – each pleaded guilty in August to one count of second-degree arson, a felony, for their roles in helping Taquida Hendrix set the fire, according to the DA’s Office. The Hendrix sisters were each initially charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deadly fire.
“The house almost immediately became engulfed in flames, trapping and ultimately killing Malakai and injuring two firefighters,” Capt. Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department said at a news conference roughly a week after the fatal fire.
“Malakai Stovall was a joyful, energetic 5-year-old boy who was the light of his family’s lives,” said Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sunderland, who prosecuted the case with ADA Janna Jehlen. “Taquida Hendrix intentionally started the fire that ripped this young child from his entire family. While I am relieved that the jury made the correct decision, this remains a devastating loss.”
Acting Monroe County District Attorney Perry Duckles said: “Although Malakai Stovall was not her intended target, Taquida Hendrix set the house ablaze without a care of whose lives were destroyed. I sincerely hope that she will use her time the New York State Department of Corrections to reflect on Malakai, his family, and all she stole from our community.”
Taquida Hendrix is scheduled to be sentenced in state Supreme Court on Nov. 3. She faces between 15 and 25 years to life in prison for the top count of second-degree murder.
Her sister Tiakayla Hendrix is to be sentenced to 12 years in the New York State Department of Corrections plus five years of post-release supervision. Chambers is to be sentenced to 9 years in state prison, with five years of post-release supervision=, according to the DA’s Office.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester woman convicted in arson that killed 5-year-old boy
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
