A Judge in Taylor County today (Tuesday), sentenced a Bedford man to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in connection with a first-degree murder conviction. 26-year old Charles Emanuel Hall was also sentenced to ten years in prison for the charge of child endangerment resulting in serious injury. Hall was convicted last month by a jury in Taylor County district court. The charges stemmed from the investigation of the death of 3 year old Janiya King in May of 2015, in Bedford.
Hall is the father of the child.

Charles Hall

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.