A tragic incident unfolded as a father neglected his daughter to the point of starvation, leading to her death despite having boxes of food stacked just outside her bedroom. The distressing discovery of the young girl’s lifeless body, abandoned in a small cot, left authorities deeply saddened, noting the evident neglect she had endured before her passing.
The father, identified as Robert S. Buskey, Jr. at 35 years old, admitted guilt to second-degree murder charges related to the death of Charlotte Buskey. Law enforcement officials described the environment in which the five-year-old had been living as a “house of horrors.”
Investigations revealed that Charlotte had suffered from neglect and malnourishment over an extended period, despite the presence of food boxes near her room. Additionally, a three-year-old boy was found locked in a cage in the living room, fortunately alive amidst the appalling conditions.
The father’s callous actions included isolating his children from both family and the outside world, neglecting their healthcare needs, and prioritizing drug use and video games over their well-being. Tragically, this neglect resulted in the death of one of his children, while both tested positive for cocaine.
Authorities were alerted to the situation on Elmer Avenue, New York, on April 14, 2024, when Charlotte became unresponsive. Upon entering the residence, they encountered deplorable conditions, with Buskey’s son confined in a cage within the living room.
Charlotte’s emaciated state was further highlighted by prosecutors who described her as having sunken eyes and being severely dehydrated, with no access to food. She was found in a locked room without a proper bed, confined to an undersized cot where she spent her final days.
In a chilling admission, Buskey confessed to an officer, acknowledging his responsibility for his daughter’s death due to the lack of essentials like food, water, and human contact. The autopsy confirmed Charlotte’s severe dehydration and extreme malnourishment.
Following his guilty plea, Buskey accepted charges of depraved indifference to human life and creating a grave risk of harm that led to his daughter’s demise. Despite his past involvement in MMA competitions, including fights in the Albany area, his actions in this case were deemed utterly callous and inhumane.
A statement indicated that Buskey also pleaded guilty to selling a controlled substance to a child and now faces a potential sentence of 27 years to life in prison upon his sentencing on March 27.