Waneta Ethel Hoyt was born on May 13, 1946, in Richford, New York. She grew up in a small town, where she attended Newark Valley High School. When she was in 10th grade, she decided to drop out of school. On January 11, 1964, Waneta married Tim Hoyt.

After their marriage, Waneta and Tim had a total of seven children. They had five biological children, one of whom was permanently adopted, and one who was temporarily adopted. The names of their biological children were Eric, James, Julie, Molly, and Noah. Tragically, all five of these children died before they reached 29 months old.

The couple’s first child, Eric, was born on October 17, 1964, but he passed away on January 26, 1965. Their second son, James, was born on May 31, 1966, and died on September 26, 1968. Julie was born on July 19, 1968, and died just a few weeks later on September 5, 1968. Then came Molly, who was born on March 18, 1970, and died on June 5, 1970. Noah, their last biological child, was born on May 9, 1971, and passed away on July 28, 1971.

In addition to these children, Waneta had a boy named Scott who was temporarily adopted in August 1971. He was removed from her care when she expressed fears that she might harm him. Later, in 1977, Waneta and Tim adopted a boy named Jay. Jay lived with them until Waneta's arrest in 1994.

For many years, the deaths of her five biological children were attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Waneta Ethel Hoyt confessed to killing her five biological children by suffocation. For more than twenty years after their deaths, the children were believed to have died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The investigation began when Dr. Linda Norton, a forensic pathologist, suspected a serial killer in New York after reviewing research about SIDS.

In 1994, a New York State trooper approached Hoyt at a post office to discuss SIDS research. During the conversation, Hoyt confessed to the murders. She stated that the babies were crying and she wanted to silence them. After her confession, she was arrested.

Hoyt later recanted her confession, claiming it was not made knowingly or voluntarily because of the interrogation tactics used. However, in April 1995, she was found guilty of murder. She was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison, receiving 15 years for each murder consecutively.

Hoyt died in prison from pancreatic cancer in August 1998. Due to her death before her appeal, she was formally exonerated under New York law. She was buried in Highland Cemetery in Richford, New York.