Update 8/21/24: Two sisters, Tiakalya Hendrix, 21, and Taquida Hendrix, 31, who are accused of intentionally setting fire at a home on Portland Avenue that killed a 5-year-old boy, were indicted on second-degree murder, second-degree assault and first-degree arson on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Original story:
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two women, who are siblings, are behind bars after police say they set the fire on Portland Avenue last month that ultimately caused the death of Malakai Stovall, 5.
He passed away last week, a few days after being trapped inside his burning home.
The women, Tiakalya Hendrix, 21, and Taquida Hendrix, 31, were arraigned in court on Wednesday.
The sisters are each charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson and are being held in jail without bail.
It was an emotional scene in court as Malakai’s mother faced the women accused of intentionally starting the fire that took her child’s life.
First, Tiakalya Hendrix appeared. The judge entered a not guilty plea on her behalf for the murder and arson charges. The July 29 fire at a home on Portland Avenue left Stovall in critical condition and he ultimately passed away. Two firefighters were also injured trying to rescue the boy.
Malakai’s mother screamed his name out through her tears as Tiakalya Hendrix was being escorted out of court, back to jail.
“I wanted to make sure they heard my voice," Malakai's mother Brianna Akers said. "I’m Malakai’s advocate right now. I wanted them to hear from his mother that we’re not going to let this go."
Akers and other family members attended the court appearance to represent Malakai.
“I just want his memory to live on," she said. "He was my best friend… I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”
Minutes later, Tiakalya's big sister, Taquida Hendrix, also entered a not guilty plea. She faces the same charges. Both women have been remanded to jail without bail.
“I can tell you the allegations in the felony complaint are that the sisters started a fire at the home," Monroe County District Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sunderland said. "As far as motive, who the targets are, I’m not going to get into that. The investigation is still pending."
The Rochester Police Department's Major Crimes Unit elaborates.
“What I can say is that Malakai and his family had absolutely nothing to do with the tragedy that occurred," Rochester Police Department Captain Frank Umbrino at a news conference announcing the arrests Tuesday evening. "They have no connection to anything that may have precipitated the setting of the house on fire."
The criminal complaint states that “… the defendants knew or had reason to believe the structure was occupied at the time. The structure was in fact occupied by nine persons ages 3 - 53 years old. The defendants poured gasoline onto the porch of the structure and set fire to the structure using a lighter. The structure immediately caught fire and within minutes was fully engulfed in flames.”
It also confirms that the RFD was able to locate and extricate the unconscious 5-year-old boy from a second-floor bedroom. He never regained consciousness before passing away on July 31.
"He was so happy," Akers said of her only child. "He was definitely more of the people person. We couldn’t even go into a grocery store without him telling the cashier his life story. He was just the best. It was impossible to be sad around him. He always just said something funny.”
For this mom, there's a touch of solace with the arrest of two people.
“A smidge, a smidge, so at least I know who it was so they can’t hurt anyone else," she said. "I hate that it even took this. This doesn’t make sense to me. We had so many plans and I just wish it would bring him back.”
The sisters will be back in court on Friday for attorney assignments and then on Monday for a preliminary hearing and the case is likely headed to a grand jury.