Banita Jacks attended school in Charles County, Maryland, reportedly leaving in the tenth grade at age 17 when she became pregnant with her first child, Brittany Jacks. She later had a second daughter, Tatianna Jacks. In 2000, while working as a hairdresser, Jacks met Nathaniel Fogle, with whom she had two more daughters, N'Kiah and Aja Fogle. 

The family faced housing instability, living in various places, including a homeless shelter, before moving into a rowhouse in Washington, D.C., in August 2006. Jacks's partner, Nathaniel Fogle, died of cancer in February 2007, an event that reportedly led to a decline in her mental health and the well-being of her children.

In January 2008, U.S. Marshals executing an eviction notice at Jacks's residence discovered the decomposed bodies of her four daughters: Brittany (16), Tatianna (11), N'Kiah (6), and Aja (5). The children had been deceased for several months, with causes of death including stabbing and strangulation. Jacks was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder and child cruelty. 

During her trial, evidence emerged of severe neglect and abuse, with Jacks reportedly isolating her children and denying them food. On July 29, 2009, she was convicted of four counts of felony murder, three counts of premeditated first-degree murder, and four counts of first-degree child cruelty. She was sentenced on December 18, 2009, to 120 years in prison.