In this video, you're gonna hear three stories of wildly different circumstances.
In this video, you're gonna hear three stories of wildly different circumstances.

One of them is completely random - almost impossibly unlucky.
One of them is completely random - almost impossibly unlucky.

One of them is about something malicious and intentional.
One of them is about something malicious and intentional.

And the final is about a seemingly good person who is powerless to their circumstances.
And the final is about a seemingly good person who is powerless to their circumstances.

And although this video contains fleeting and nongraphic descriptions of the events,
And although this video contains fleeting and nongraphic descriptions of the events,

they are still highly disturbing.
they are still highly disturbing.

As such, viewer discretion is advised.
As such, viewer discretion is advised.

[music]
[music]

Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina,
Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina,

and is a sprawling metropolis that houses over 15 million people.
and is a sprawling metropolis that houses over 15 million people.

This makes it one of the most populous cities on Earth,
This makes it one of the most populous cities on Earth,

and the downtown area houses these people in a beautiful skyline.
and the downtown area houses these people in a beautiful skyline.

It doesn't necessarily have the tallest skyscrapers,
It doesn't necessarily have the tallest skyscrapers,

but what makes it impressive anyway is that these buildings
but what makes it impressive anyway is that these buildings

just seem to extend forever into the distance.
just seem to extend forever into the distance.

Nestled within one of these buildings was the Montoya family and their adorable little poodle, Catchy.
Nestled within one of these buildings was the Montoya family and their adorable little poodle, Catchy.

On October 24th, 1988,
On October 24th, 1988,

the youngest child in the family was playing fetch with Catchy in their apartment.
the youngest child in the family was playing fetch with Catchy in their apartment.

And like most dogs, Catchy was thrilled to be chasing the ball.
And like most dogs, Catchy was thrilled to be chasing the ball.

It was wagging its tail excitedly, chasing the ball back and forth across the room.
It was wagging its tail excitedly, chasing the ball back and forth across the room.

And at some point, while they were playing, the boy tossed the ball just a little bit too hard.
And at some point, while they were playing, the boy tossed the ball just a little bit too hard.

It went flying down the hallway, bouncing as it went until it got a little bit too close to the open balcony door.
It went flying down the hallway, bouncing as it went until it got a little bit too close to the open balcony door.

Catchy obviously didn't realize this, and was just laser-focused on catching the ball.
Catchy obviously didn't realize this, and was just laser-focused on catching the ball.

Then, she started to skid on the slippery tile floor, unable to stop her momentum.
Then, she started to skid on the slippery tile floor, unable to stop her momentum.

With a yelp, the poodle slipped under the edge of the railing of the balcony
With a yelp, the poodle slipped under the edge of the railing of the balcony

and plummeted from the 13th floor.
and plummeted from the 13th floor.

At that very moment, down on the sidewalk,
At that very moment, down on the sidewalk,

an unsuspecting woman was standing in front of a shop window, looking at some of the things inside.
an unsuspecting woman was standing in front of a shop window, looking at some of the things inside.

Tragically, Catchy fell directly onto the woman and killed her instantly.
Tragically, Catchy fell directly onto the woman and killed her instantly.

The impact was fatal for Catchy as well, ending the poodle's life in an instant.
The impact was fatal for Catchy as well, ending the poodle's life in an instant.

A crowd of shocked people quickly gathered around the horrific scene,
A crowd of shocked people quickly gathered around the horrific scene,

trying to figure out exactly what happened.
trying to figure out exactly what happened.

From the balcony above, the boy cried out and looked down,
From the balcony above, the boy cried out and looked down,

desperately hoping Catchy would be safe down below.
desperately hoping Catchy would be safe down below.

Across that same street, another woman was walking
Across that same street, another woman was walking

when she stumbled in the large crowd of people now gathered around the area.
when she stumbled in the large crowd of people now gathered around the area.

Then, she looked up and saw the boy crying from the balcony.
Then, she looked up and saw the boy crying from the balcony.

And unable to resist the urge to investigate, she stepped off the sidewalk
And unable to resist the urge to investigate, she stepped off the sidewalk

and began to walk toward the crowd.
and began to walk toward the crowd.

In her haste, she failed to notice a speeding bus barreling towards her.
In her haste, she failed to notice a speeding bus barreling towards her.

The bus driver, despite seeing her and slamming on his brakes, just wasn't able to stop in time.
The bus driver, despite seeing her and slamming on his brakes, just wasn't able to stop in time.

The bus slammed into the woman and sent her body through the air and onto the pavement.
The bus slammed into the woman and sent her body through the air and onto the pavement.

The crowd that had already gathered heard the screech of the tires and the impact,
The crowd that had already gathered heard the screech of the tires and the impact,

and all spun around to see what happened.
and all spun around to see what happened.

Tragically, the impact was fatal and the woman died almost instantly.
Tragically, the impact was fatal and the woman died almost instantly.

Only a few minutes earlier, a man had just walked out of a nearby pharmacy,
Only a few minutes earlier, a man had just walked out of a nearby pharmacy,

carrying a bag of items he had bought from inside.
carrying a bag of items he had bought from inside.

Just after walking out, he watched as the woman was struck by Catchy falling from the window.
Just after walking out, he watched as the woman was struck by Catchy falling from the window.

He sat there in shock, almost in disbelief and quietly muttered prayers under his breath.
He sat there in shock, almost in disbelief and quietly muttered prayers under his breath.

Then, even more horrifyingly, he watched as the woman was thrown through the air by the bus.
Then, even more horrifyingly, he watched as the woman was thrown through the air by the bus.

This was too much for the man as the shock of the events turned into a sharp pain in his chest.
This was too much for the man as the shock of the events turned into a sharp pain in his chest.

He began gasping for air and holding his chest as he fell down onto one knee.
He began gasping for air and holding his chest as he fell down onto one knee.

Concerned bystanders rushed to help the man and quickly called an ambulance.
Concerned bystanders rushed to help the man and quickly called an ambulance.

But again, tragically, by the time the man was being loaded into the ambulance,
But again, tragically, by the time the man was being loaded into the ambulance,

he had died of a massive heart attack.
he had died of a massive heart attack.

In just the span of a few minutes, three people and a dog all died
In just the span of a few minutes, three people and a dog all died

in one of the most unlucky series of events to have ever occurred -
in one of the most unlucky series of events to have ever occurred -

all from something as innocent as a young boy playing fetch with his dog.
all from something as innocent as a young boy playing fetch with his dog.

Back in 1995, a man was living in a quiet neighborhood
Back in 1995, a man was living in a quiet neighborhood

in the San Francisco East Bay with his wife of a few years and their 20-month-old daughter.
in the San Francisco East Bay with his wife of a few years and their 20-month-old daughter.

They had a small three-bedroom, two-story house,
They had a small three-bedroom, two-story house,

and one of their second-floor bedrooms doubled as the man's home office.
and one of their second-floor bedrooms doubled as the man's home office.

One quiet Saturday morning, the man was in his office,
One quiet Saturday morning, the man was in his office,

playing Command & Conquer on his computer with his headphones on
playing Command & Conquer on his computer with his headphones on

oblivious to the sounds of the outside world.
oblivious to the sounds of the outside world.

He'd probably been playing for an hour or so when during one particularly quiet moment,
He'd probably been playing for an hour or so when during one particularly quiet moment,

he faintly heard his wife cry out downstairs.
he faintly heard his wife cry out downstairs.

Knowing she was down there with her daughter,
Knowing she was down there with her daughter,

he pulled off his headphones to see if she needed help with anything.
he pulled off his headphones to see if she needed help with anything.

And until the day he takes his last breath, he'll never forget what he heard when he pulled them off.
And until the day he takes his last breath, he'll never forget what he heard when he pulled them off.

It was the voice of a man with a thick accent who was shouting for her to stop yelling,
It was the voice of a man with a thick accent who was shouting for her to stop yelling,

or he would kill her and then assault her daughter.
or he would kill her and then assault her daughter.

The man could also hear his daughter crying hysterically.
The man could also hear his daughter crying hysterically.

After that, it was like some switch flipped inside the man and his higher brain just shut off.
After that, it was like some switch flipped inside the man and his higher brain just shut off.

He wasn't making decisions - he was just acting.
He wasn't making decisions - he was just acting.

He doesn't even remember pulling the .45 from the lockbox in his desk.
He doesn't even remember pulling the .45 from the lockbox in his desk.

He just remembers walking down the stairs slowly,
He just remembers walking down the stairs slowly,

scared that he was gonna see his wife dead when he reached the bottom.
scared that he was gonna see his wife dead when he reached the bottom.

Instead, as he got to the bottom of the stairs,
Instead, as he got to the bottom of the stairs,

he saw his wife half-naked, being assaulted by some burly guy with a knife in his hand.
he saw his wife half-naked, being assaulted by some burly guy with a knife in his hand.

The man didn't say a word to the guy, not while he was upstairs,
The man didn't say a word to the guy, not while he was upstairs,

not while he was coming down the stairs, and not when he walked into the room.
not while he was coming down the stairs, and not when he walked into the room.

His back was to the man so he had no idea he was even standing there.
His back was to the man so he had no idea he was even standing there.

He was holding his knife in his right hand, so that was the arm he grabbed with his left when he pulled him off.
He was holding his knife in his right hand, so that was the arm he grabbed with his left when he pulled him off.

The intruder spun away from his wife and him with a confused look on his face,
The intruder spun away from his wife and him with a confused look on his face,

and the man then shot him square in the chest at nearly point-blank range.
and the man then shot him square in the chest at nearly point-blank range.

His face went pale as he went down onto one knee, and then the man fired twice more.
His face went pale as he went down onto one knee, and then the man fired twice more.

One hit his neck and the second missed entirely.
One hit his neck and the second missed entirely.

What happened next has always been a point of shame for the man.
What happened next has always been a point of shame for the man.

The only thought going through his head at that point
The only thought going through his head at that point

was that he couldn't let his daughter watch this man die.
was that he couldn't let his daughter watch this man die.

Without even checking on his wife, he scooped hi sdaughter up and walked out the front door.
Without even checking on his wife, he scooped hi sdaughter up and walked out the front door.

As he walked out to his driveway, he saw one of his neighbors standing there.
As he walked out to his driveway, he saw one of his neighbors standing there.

The neighbor had heard the gunshots and came to check on the man and his family.
The neighbor had heard the gunshots and came to check on the man and his family.

The neighbor went completely pale when he saw the man walk out,
The neighbor went completely pale when he saw the man walk out,

and then he vaguely remembers asking him to hold his daughter while he went to check on his wife.
and then he vaguely remembers asking him to hold his daughter while he went to check on his wife.

The neighbor asked the man if he had shot her, and he told him, "No, I shot the man who was assaulting her."
The neighbor asked the man if he had shot her, and he told him, "No, I shot the man who was assaulting her."

What the man didn't realize at the time was that he had the guy's blood spray covering half his body
What the man didn't realize at the time was that he had the guy's blood spray covering half his body

and that he looked like something out of a horror movie.
and that he looked like something out of a horror movie.

He then handed the neighbor his daughter and his gun,
He then handed the neighbor his daughter and his gun,

and then he went back inside the house to help his wife.
and then he went back inside the house to help his wife.

The police later gave the man some flack about the exact circumstances of the shooting
The police later gave the man some flack about the exact circumstances of the shooting

because one of the detectives told him that it was more like an execution than a defense.
because one of the detectives told him that it was more like an execution than a defense.

But in the end, they declined to pursue any charges.
But in the end, they declined to pursue any charges.

The man who attacked her turned out to be a guy with serious issues
The man who attacked her turned out to be a guy with serious issues

who had been previously convicted of two similar incidents - one of which was against a minor.
who had been previously convicted of two similar incidents - one of which was against a minor.

Under California's then new Three-Strikes Law,
Under California's then new Three-Strikes Law,

he'd have been given prison for life if the man hadn't killed him.
he'd have been given prison for life if the man hadn't killed him.

In the years following the incident, the man likes to think that he's recovered,
In the years following the incident, the man likes to think that he's recovered,

but it certainly induced a few behavioral changes.
but it certainly induced a few behavioral changes.

To this day, for example, he can't wear headphones that block out background noise.
To this day, for example, he can't wear headphones that block out background noise.

Even after years of counseling, over-ear and noise-canceling headphones
Even after years of counseling, over-ear and noise-canceling headphones

give him panic attacks because he can't hear what's happening around him.
give him panic attacks because he can't hear what's happening around him.

He also found out that the attack had been going on for nearly 10 minutes before he heard him,
He also found out that the attack had been going on for nearly 10 minutes before he heard him,

and that he'd actually told his wife three times that his daughter was next when he finished with her.
and that he'd actually told his wife three times that his daughter was next when he finished with her.

He was sitting 30 feet (9.14 m) away and had no idea what was going on,
He was sitting 30 feet (9.14 m) away and had no idea what was going on,

and that fact has messed with him for years.
and that fact has messed with him for years.

His wife, on the other hand, has had a much worse time of it.
His wife, on the other hand, has had a much worse time of it.

In addition to two stab wounds to her shoulder and upper arm
In addition to two stab wounds to her shoulder and upper arm

and the bruising and injuries from the forceful assault,
and the bruising and injuries from the forceful assault,

she ended up having a mental break and took years to finally recover.
she ended up having a mental break and took years to finally recover.

For the first six months, she absolutely could not be in any room by herself.
For the first six months, she absolutely could not be in any room by herself.

For more than a year, she couldn't be in the house by herself,
For more than a year, she couldn't be in the house by herself,

and she never reentered the house where the incident happened.
and she never reentered the house where the incident happened.

For several years after, she'd break out in a sweat
For several years after, she'd break out in a sweat

whenever she heard a man with a deep accent talking because she'd hear his voice again.
whenever she heard a man with a deep accent talking because she'd hear his voice again.

And even now, decades later, she starts shaking if you try to talk to her about it.
And even now, decades later, she starts shaking if you try to talk to her about it.

She's fine in every other sense, but even discussing it freaks her out.
She's fine in every other sense, but even discussing it freaks her out.

In the spring of 1990, 16-year-old Banita Jacks began attending high school in Charles County, Maryland,
In the spring of 1990, 16-year-old Banita Jacks began attending high school in Charles County, Maryland,

which is just a few miles south of Washington, DC.
which is just a few miles south of Washington, DC.

She had always struggled to keep up with her peers academically,
She had always struggled to keep up with her peers academically,

but high school ended up being even more challenging than she expected.
but high school ended up being even more challenging than she expected.

Like many teenagers her age, Banita had one or two love interests, but nothing too serious.
Like many teenagers her age, Banita had one or two love interests, but nothing too serious.

However, despite not being in a relationship and being just 15 years old,
However, despite not being in a relationship and being just 15 years old,

after entering 10th grade, Banita found out that she was pregnant.
after entering 10th grade, Banita found out that she was pregnant.

While not uncommon, it's not exactly an ideal situation for any teenage girl to be in.
While not uncommon, it's not exactly an ideal situation for any teenage girl to be in.

This is especially true if they live in an area with notoriously bad public services.
This is especially true if they live in an area with notoriously bad public services.

This would be a reoccurring issue in not only Banita's life, but her children's lives as well.
This would be a reoccurring issue in not only Banita's life, but her children's lives as well.

It wasn't long until Banita dropped out of school to take care of her child
It wasn't long until Banita dropped out of school to take care of her child

and to find a job to help provide for the both of them.
and to find a job to help provide for the both of them.

Then, after giving birth to her daughter, Brittany, she began pursuing a career as a hairdresser.
Then, after giving birth to her daughter, Brittany, she began pursuing a career as a hairdresser.

Despite these early struggles, Banita persevered and worked hard and did what she could
Despite these early struggles, Banita persevered and worked hard and did what she could

to be a good mother to her daughter.
to be a good mother to her daughter.

Then, a few years after dropping out, in hopes of finding out who the father was of her daughter,
Then, a few years after dropping out, in hopes of finding out who the father was of her daughter,

she filed a paternity petition against a man from Waldorf, Maryland.
she filed a paternity petition against a man from Waldorf, Maryland.

That same year, she found out she was pregnant again and gave birth in 1997 to a girl named Tatianna.
That same year, she found out she was pregnant again and gave birth in 1997 to a girl named Tatianna.

This time, rather than waiting, she filed a second paternity petition shortly after the birth.
This time, rather than waiting, she filed a second paternity petition shortly after the birth.

The hope was that after establishing who the father was,
The hope was that after establishing who the father was,

Banita would have some help raising her children,
Banita would have some help raising her children,

either through child support or simply having the father in her children's lives.
either through child support or simply having the father in her children's lives.

Another few years later in the year 2000, Banita was still working as a hairdresser
Another few years later in the year 2000, Banita was still working as a hairdresser

when a young man named Nathaniel became one of her clients.
when a young man named Nathaniel became one of her clients.

After several appointments, the two of them got along really well,
After several appointments, the two of them got along really well,

and there seemed to be some chemistry between them. So not long after that, they began dating.
and there seemed to be some chemistry between them. So not long after that, they began dating.

Then, not long into their dating, the couple had two more children -
Then, not long into their dating, the couple had two more children -

a daughter named N'Kiah and another named Aja.
a daughter named N'Kiah and another named Aja.

It's unknown exactly what kind of relationship Banita and Nathaniel had,
It's unknown exactly what kind of relationship Banita and Nathaniel had,

or whether Brittany and Tatianna got along with him,
or whether Brittany and Tatianna got along with him,

but both of their fathers had done little to nothing in the way of co-parenting.
but both of their fathers had done little to nothing in the way of co-parenting.

With their mother working regularly for a hair salon,
With their mother working regularly for a hair salon,

she couldn't always be there for them like she wanted to be.
she couldn't always be there for them like she wanted to be.

Thankfully, Nathaniel not only provided them with a much-needed male role model,
Thankfully, Nathaniel not only provided them with a much-needed male role model,

but he also helped to keep their mother grounded.
but he also helped to keep their mother grounded.

And as you'll find as this story unfolds, Banita must have loved him dearly.
And as you'll find as this story unfolds, Banita must have loved him dearly.

At some point in 2005, Banita and her children were evicted from an apartment she was renting.
At some point in 2005, Banita and her children were evicted from an apartment she was renting.

She then asked her mother if she could live with her until she could find another place to rent,
She then asked her mother if she could live with her until she could find another place to rent,

but when she asked her mother if Nathaniel could move in as well, her mother's answer was no.
but when she asked her mother if Nathaniel could move in as well, her mother's answer was no.

So not long after that, she left her mother's house to live with Nathaniel,
So not long after that, she left her mother's house to live with Nathaniel,

taking the four girls with her.
taking the four girls with her.

The family of six moved from one place to another -
The family of six moved from one place to another -

sometimes living with friends, and sometimes living in homeless shelters.
sometimes living with friends, and sometimes living in homeless shelters.

DC winters can get pretty cold,
DC winters can get pretty cold,

so they were forced to stay in specially designated places called hypothermia sites in late 2005.
so they were forced to stay in specially designated places called hypothermia sites in late 2005.

Many of these hypothermia sites are operated by non-profit and governmental organizations,
Many of these hypothermia sites are operated by non-profit and governmental organizations,

and try to offer families help in getting assistance.
and try to offer families help in getting assistance.

And because Banita and Nathaniel had four children, the shelter helped to find them emergency housing.
And because Banita and Nathaniel had four children, the shelter helped to find them emergency housing.

Unfortunately, even though it's called emergency housing,
Unfortunately, even though it's called emergency housing,

it can take several months before a family is placed into a low-income home.
it can take several months before a family is placed into a low-income home.

As 2006 rolled around, the family was still homeless,
As 2006 rolled around, the family was still homeless,

sometimes staying at shelters, and other times, sleeping in their vehicle as the months turned warmer.
sometimes staying at shelters, and other times, sleeping in their vehicle as the months turned warmer.

Finally, in August of 2006,
Finally, in August of 2006,

a non-profit organization helped the family move into a row house in Washington, DC.
a non-profit organization helped the family move into a row house in Washington, DC.

It seemed like after some more hardships,
It seemed like after some more hardships,

things were finally turning around for the young family once again.
things were finally turning around for the young family once again.

Unfortunately, this was far from the case.
Unfortunately, this was far from the case.

Around the same time period, Nathaniel began getting progressively sicker.
Around the same time period, Nathaniel began getting progressively sicker.

It's unclear whether he knew it or not, or simply brushed off the symptoms as something minor,
It's unclear whether he knew it or not, or simply brushed off the symptoms as something minor,

but eventually, he was diagnosed with some form of sinus cancer.
but eventually, he was diagnosed with some form of sinus cancer.

Tragically, by the time it was discovered, it had already spread extensively throughout his body.
Tragically, by the time it was discovered, it had already spread extensively throughout his body.

By then, it was too late, and Nathaniel passed away in March 16th, 2007, at the age of 37.
By then, it was too late, and Nathaniel passed away in March 16th, 2007, at the age of 37.

After Nathaniel passed away, Banita's friends and family pretty quickly noticed a change in her behavior.
After Nathaniel passed away, Banita's friends and family pretty quickly noticed a change in her behavior.

The first odd thing was that she chose not to attend Nathaniel's funeral.
The first odd thing was that she chose not to attend Nathaniel's funeral.

This could have been attributed to her grieving process
This could have been attributed to her grieving process

because everyone deals with death in their own way.
because everyone deals with death in their own way.

However, those who were close with her and her girls
However, those who were close with her and her girls

learned that Banita hadn't even told her daughters Nathaniel had passed.
learned that Banita hadn't even told her daughters Nathaniel had passed.

She also began to gradually isolate herself and the children from others.
She also began to gradually isolate herself and the children from others.

Neighbors noticed that they went from always wearing nice clothes
Neighbors noticed that they went from always wearing nice clothes

and having their hair made up to wearing the opposite, and generally looking run-down.
and having their hair made up to wearing the opposite, and generally looking run-down.

Banita also told friends and neighbors they were out of food stamps
Banita also told friends and neighbors they were out of food stamps

and when asked why she didn't apply for more,
and when asked why she didn't apply for more,

her reply was that there was too much paperwork to fill out.
her reply was that there was too much paperwork to fill out.

Following Nathaniel's funeral as well, Banita's mother stopped by her home on several occasions,
Following Nathaniel's funeral as well, Banita's mother stopped by her home on several occasions,

but each time, her daughter wouldn't let her into the home.
but each time, her daughter wouldn't let her into the home.

Sometimes, she would even call her mother without coming to the door and tell her not to come back.
Sometimes, she would even call her mother without coming to the door and tell her not to come back.

By this point in time, the oldest daughter, Brittany, was a teenager
By this point in time, the oldest daughter, Brittany, was a teenager

and started dating a boy from her school.
and started dating a boy from her school.

Then, around the beginning of March, he noticed that she just stopped showing up to school one day.
Then, around the beginning of March, he noticed that she just stopped showing up to school one day.

And even before she stopped showing up, she looked depressed and out of it.
And even before she stopped showing up, she looked depressed and out of it.

He visited her briefly to see if there was anything he could do for her,
He visited her briefly to see if there was anything he could do for her,

but she didn't really give him a clear answer about what was going on.
but she didn't really give him a clear answer about what was going on.

And after that, Brittany started ignoring his calls entirely.
And after that, Brittany started ignoring his calls entirely.

At some point, people began to worry about the four girls' wellbeing.
At some point, people began to worry about the four girls' wellbeing.

In particular, during the months of April and May 2007,
In particular, during the months of April and May 2007,

a social worker from their school repeatedly tried to contact Brittany to see if she was okay.
a social worker from their school repeatedly tried to contact Brittany to see if she was okay.

After being unable to reach her,
After being unable to reach her,

the social worker decided to simply go to Banita's home on April 27th with a police officer.
the social worker decided to simply go to Banita's home on April 27th with a police officer.

Unfortunately, without a warrant, Banita was able to refuse her and the officer entry to her home.
Unfortunately, without a warrant, Banita was able to refuse her and the officer entry to her home.

While they were there, though, as they stood at the door, looking in,
While they were there, though, as they stood at the door, looking in,

the social worker was able to see that N'Kiah and Aja looked like they were in rough shape
the social worker was able to see that N'Kiah and Aja looked like they were in rough shape

and the home was just as bad.
and the home was just as bad.

After leaving and after seeing the state that Banita and her home were in,
After leaving and after seeing the state that Banita and her home were in,

the social worker repeatedly called Child and Family Services to report the issue.
the social worker repeatedly called Child and Family Services to report the issue.

Three days later, as a result of the calls,
Three days later, as a result of the calls,

a DC police sergeant went to Banita's home to interview her.
a DC police sergeant went to Banita's home to interview her.

As with the other visits, she refused to allow the officer into the home
As with the other visits, she refused to allow the officer into the home

and spoke with the officer in the front yard.
and spoke with the officer in the front yard.

While he was there, he saw the three younger girls, but didn't see Brittany anywhere.
While he was there, he saw the three younger girls, but didn't see Brittany anywhere.

Then, after leaving the home, the sergeant, for whatever reason,
Then, after leaving the home, the sergeant, for whatever reason,

didn't file his report until months after the initial visit.
didn't file his report until months after the initial visit.

In the report as well, he mentioned never knowing about Brittany,
In the report as well, he mentioned never knowing about Brittany,

despite the fact that the social worker was very explicit on the phone about the four children.
despite the fact that the social worker was very explicit on the phone about the four children.

Then, on May 10th, so about two weeks after the first visit,
Then, on May 10th, so about two weeks after the first visit,

the same social worker got even more concerned about the welfare of the children
the same social worker got even more concerned about the welfare of the children

after hearing nothing back from the police.
after hearing nothing back from the police.

Also fearing that something had happened to Brittany and that she was being held against her will,
Also fearing that something had happened to Brittany and that she was being held against her will,

she wrote a letter to the DC youth social division.
she wrote a letter to the DC youth social division.

But then, even more frustratingly,
But then, even more frustratingly,

social workers essentially ignored her letter and never went to check on Brittany
social workers essentially ignored her letter and never went to check on Brittany

or the other three girls.
or the other three girls.

Then, not long after, neighbors started to notice a smell.
Then, not long after, neighbors started to notice a smell.

This smell seemed to permeate the entire area.
This smell seemed to permeate the entire area.

Many of the people living in the area figured it was some sort of animal that had died nearby
Many of the people living in the area figured it was some sort of animal that had died nearby

on the rooftop or something along those lines.
on the rooftop or something along those lines.

During this time as well, a neighbor of Banita's would come by on a semi-regular basis
During this time as well, a neighbor of Banita's would come by on a semi-regular basis

and drop off her social security checks and always saw N'Kiah and Aja playing the living room.
and drop off her social security checks and always saw N'Kiah and Aja playing the living room.

Not thinking much of it at the time,
Not thinking much of it at the time,

the neighbor would later realize that she hadn't seen Banita's other two daughters in months.
the neighbor would later realize that she hadn't seen Banita's other two daughters in months.

By mid-summer of 2007,
By mid-summer of 2007,

it had also been months since Banita had paid the rent for their apartment.
it had also been months since Banita had paid the rent for their apartment.

With an eviction notice in hand, federal marshals arrived at her home on January 9th, 2008.
With an eviction notice in hand, federal marshals arrived at her home on January 9th, 2008.

By then, it had been around eight months since anyone saw Brittany,
By then, it had been around eight months since anyone saw Brittany,

and around seven since any of the other girls had been seen.
and around seven since any of the other girls had been seen.

In addition to that, the foul odor had gotten much, much worse.
In addition to that, the foul odor had gotten much, much worse.

Banita answered the door, wearing a grungy white T-shirt that had brownish smudges on it.
Banita answered the door, wearing a grungy white T-shirt that had brownish smudges on it.

Like other times, she tried to refuse them entry into the home,
Like other times, she tried to refuse them entry into the home,

but these were federal marshals with an eviction notice.
but these were federal marshals with an eviction notice.

Banita tried to shut and lock the door,
Banita tried to shut and lock the door,

but one of the marshals stuck his booting before she could close it.
but one of the marshals stuck his booting before she could close it.

The marshals then forced their way into the apartment and were instantly hit
The marshals then forced their way into the apartment and were instantly hit

with a smell that many police officers immediately recognize.
with a smell that many police officers immediately recognize.

Banita tried to stall the marshals and even attempted to block them from walking up the stairs
Banita tried to stall the marshals and even attempted to block them from walking up the stairs

toward the children's rooms.
toward the children's rooms.

But eventually, she had no choice but to let them pass.
But eventually, she had no choice but to let them pass.

As they made their way up the dark staircase, the smell of something rotting got even more pungent.
As they made their way up the dark staircase, the smell of something rotting got even more pungent.

As one of the marshals looked in the first bedroom, he saw three small bodies.
As one of the marshals looked in the first bedroom, he saw three small bodies.

They were in a terrible state, showing signs of advanced decomposition.
They were in a terrible state, showing signs of advanced decomposition.

Going down the hallway, the marshals eventually found Brittany lying on the floor in a pool of dried blood.
Going down the hallway, the marshals eventually found Brittany lying on the floor in a pool of dried blood.

Her body was decomposed beyond recognition.
Her body was decomposed beyond recognition.

Following a medical examination, it was determined that there were puncture wounds
Following a medical examination, it was determined that there were puncture wounds

and blunt force trauma on each of them.
and blunt force trauma on each of them.

But because of the state of decomposition, it was difficult to determine the exact cause of death.
But because of the state of decomposition, it was difficult to determine the exact cause of death.

Incredibly, despite the very obvious signs of foul play,
Incredibly, despite the very obvious signs of foul play,

Banita claimed all four girls had passed away in their sleep.
Banita claimed all four girls had passed away in their sleep.

She also claimed to have tried to revive them despite not knowing CPR.
She also claimed to have tried to revive them despite not knowing CPR.

After a further search of the home, they found that there was no food anywhere,
After a further search of the home, they found that there was no food anywhere,

most of the furniture had been removed,
most of the furniture had been removed,

and the room Brittany was in was locked from the outside.
and the room Brittany was in was locked from the outside.

It looked as though she had also been forced to use their closet as a washroom.
It looked as though she had also been forced to use their closet as a washroom.

In a series of police interrogations,
In a series of police interrogations,

the circumstances of what happened would finally be learned.
the circumstances of what happened would finally be learned.

Following the death of Nathaniel, it seems as though something snapped inside Banita.
Following the death of Nathaniel, it seems as though something snapped inside Banita.

Soon after his death, she had a dream where he visited her
Soon after his death, she had a dream where he visited her

and told her that all four of her children would be taken from her, but then resurrected.
and told her that all four of her children would be taken from her, but then resurrected.

According to Banita, each of her children had become possessed
According to Banita, each of her children had become possessed

and she took extreme measures to deal with them.
and she took extreme measures to deal with them.

The first was Brittany who she had the most confrontations with.
The first was Brittany who she had the most confrontations with.

The two of them had fought on several occasions,
The two of them had fought on several occasions,

and she eventually locked her in her room to prevent her from influencing the other children.
and she eventually locked her in her room to prevent her from influencing the other children.

During this time as well, all four of them hadn't had a proper meal in some time,
During this time as well, all four of them hadn't had a proper meal in some time,

and this eventually took its toll.
and this eventually took its toll.

Banita would even say that as they got weaker, the demons got weaker.
Banita would even say that as they got weaker, the demons got weaker.

Following their deaths, Banita claimed that demons had a different smell,
Following their deaths, Banita claimed that demons had a different smell,

forcing her to throw away all of her furniture.
forcing her to throw away all of her furniture.

She felt that once everything had been taken care of,
She felt that once everything had been taken care of,

she and Nathaniel would be reunited together along with her four daughters.
she and Nathaniel would be reunited together along with her four daughters.

Ultimately, she was charged with 12 felonies and pled not guilty to all charges.
Ultimately, she was charged with 12 felonies and pled not guilty to all charges.

She was advised by her lawyers to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, but she refused.
She was advised by her lawyers to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, but she refused.

She was eventually sentenced to 120 years in prison, or 30 years for each of them.
She was eventually sentenced to 120 years in prison, or 30 years for each of them.

Banita also wouldn't be the only one thought to be responsible for what happened.
Banita also wouldn't be the only one thought to be responsible for what happened.

Several district agencies were later found to be negligent
Several district agencies were later found to be negligent

and six social workers were fired for their part in ignoring or mishandling what was going on with the girls.
and six social workers were fired for their part in ignoring or mishandling what was going on with the girls.

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for watching.
Hello everyone. Thank you so much for watching.

If you have a story suggestion, you can send it to the email found in the description
If you have a story suggestion, you can send it to the email found in the description

or on the Scary Interesting Subreddit.
or on the Scary Interesting Subreddit.

If you wanna support the channel, give this video a like and subscribe if you aren't already
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so you don't miss any of the weekly videos.
so you don't miss any of the weekly videos.

Once again, thank you all so much for watching, and hopefully, I will see you in the next one.
Once again, thank you all so much for watching, and hopefully, I will see you in the next one.