ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Friday marks two years since 5-year-old Malakai Stovall died from his injuries in an intentionally set fire at a home on Portland Avenue.
Two sisters, Tiakayla and Taquida Hendrix, are serving prison sentences for setting the fire in July of 2024. After pleading guilty, Tiakayla testified against her sister during her trial, saying that they were seeking revenge on people who beat up their father earlier that day. They targeted the duplex because they believed the attackers lived there, but set the fire on the wrong side, killing Malakai.
Malakai died in the hospital days after the fire, which was set around 2 a.m. News10NBC has spoken with several of Malakai’s family members, including his aunt, who described him as a joyful and loving child who loved to play and jump. Malakai’s mother and grandmother both spoke during the sentencing for Tiakayla Hendrix…