Grant jury indicts sisters accused of arson attack that killed 5-year-old boy

ROCHESTER, NY – The two sisters accused of murder and arson in a fire that killed a 5-year-old boy have been indicted by a Monroe County grand jury.

The indictment accuses 21-year-old Tiakayla Hendrix and 31-year-old Taquida Hendrix of second-degree murder, first-degree arson and second-degree assault.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m. on Monday, July 29, killing Malakai Stovall, who was home with a babysitter at the time. Firefighters rescued him from the second floor, but he died of his injuries days later in the hospital, suffering burns to 75 percent of his body.

The sisters are accused of intentionally setting the fire in the house on Portland Avenue. They pleaded not guilty in Rochester City Court.

A conviction for first-degree arson carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The same applies to second-degree murder. However, since the victim was under 14, this could result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole.