Rochester, NY – A 5-year-old boy was killed in a late-night blaze that prosecutors say was deliberately set as part of a violent retaliation — and the woman accused of starting the fire is now facing trial, with her own sister expected to take the stand.
Malakai Stovall was asleep on the second floor of his Portland Avenue home when flames tore through the residence around 2 a.m. on July 28, according to officials. The child was pulled from the fire but later died from his injuries, devastating his mother, Brianna Akers, who has since shared her grief publicly while thanking the community for its support.
Prosecutors allege that Taquida Hendrix, 31, along with her sister Tiakayla Hendrix, 21, and a third man, Roy Chambers, drove to the home and ignited the fire. Investigators believe the