Robert Buskey Jr., a 35-year-old former amateur MMA fighter from Schenectady, New York, was sentenced in April 2026 to 27 years to life in prison for the starvation death of his 5-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Buskey pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the criminal sale of a controlled substance following a horrific investigation into the conditions of his home. Prosecutors revealed that Charlotte died of dehydration and malnutrition in April 2024, despite the house being fully stocked with food.
The investigation uncovered a pattern of extreme neglect driven by Buskey’s addiction to drugs and video games. He reportedly kept Charlotte locked in her bedroom and her 3-year-old brother confined to a makeshift cage to prevent them from disturbing him. Evidence showed that Charlotte had learned to escape her room, prompting Buskey to reinforce the lock with tape. Both children tested positive for cocaine at the time of Charlotte’s death.
During the sentencing, the judge described Buskey as an “absolute narcissist” who prioritized his own leisure over the lives of his children. Buskey admitted his guilt, stating he deserved the maximum penalty. In addition to his prison term, he is permanently barred from having any contact with his surviving son, who was placed in protective care.