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Bedford man convicted in 2015 child death case

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January 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports a jury has found Bedford man charged in connection with the death of a child last year, guilty of 1st degree murder and child endangerment resulting in serious injury. 26-year old Charles Emanuel Hall was convicted Friday (1/29) in Taylor County district court of murder in the 1st degree and child endangerment resulting in serious injury in relation to the May 2015 death of 3 year old Janiya King, in Bedford. Hall, who is the father of the child, will be sentenced at a later date.

On May 22nd, 2015, authorities said they responded to a 911 call for a child not breathing at 806 Washington St.  Deputies found Janiya King, unresponsive. She was pronounced dead by the medical examiner. Court documents indicate Janiya had severe burns on her face and right shoulder.

Hall’s girlfriend, 25-year-old April Clair, of Bedford, was also initially charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, a Class-C forcible Felony. Clair had told authorities that Janiya accidentally knocked over a pot of boiling hot dog water onto herself two weeks prior to her death. Clari told authorities she didn’t think it was necessary to seek medical attention.

Authorities however, said the burns were so bad that they caused permanent disfigurement. Clair also told investigators the girl fell down the stairs multiple times and became weaker, but still did not seek medical attention. The woman reached a plea deal and was found guilty by the court on Sept. 8th of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury, a Class-D Felony, which carries a maximum prison term of 5-years. Her sentencing hearing was set for Feb. 16th.