Sisters accused of setting fire to house that killed a five-year-old boy must appear in court

ROCHESTER, NY — The two sisters accused of setting a house fire on Portland Avenue that ultimately resulted in the death of a five-year-old boy are due in court Friday morning for arraignment.

A grand jury has indicted 21-year-old Tiakalya and 31-year-old Taquida Hendrix on multiple counts. This is the second indictment for the Hendrix sisters. For jurisdictional reasons, they are now moving to Superior District Court. They previously pleaded not guilty to arson and murder in Rochester Municipal Court.

Investigators say the sisters set fire to the porch of the duplex on July 29 with a flammable substance. The motive is still unknown, but we know from police that 5-year-old Malakai Stovall and his family had no connection to the sisters. However, police say the house was the target.

Malakai was at home with a babysitter when the fire broke out. News10NBC spoke to Malakai's mother before the initial arraignment earlier this month.

“At least I know who did it. You can't hurt anyone else. I hate that it even came to this,” Brianna Akers said. “It doesn't make sense to me. We had so many plans and I just wish it would bring him back.”

Malakai was rescued from the house with burns on 75% of his body. He struggled for days in the hospital but eventually succumbed to his injuries.

According to state sentencing guidelines, the penalty for arson is between 15 and life in prison. The penalty for murder is the same. Since Malakai is under 14, the two could also receive a life sentence without parole.