A young girl, only five years old, tragically died from starvation in a horrific environment created by her neglectful father. Robert Buskey Jr., aged 35, admitted guilt to second-degree murder and supplying a controlled substance to a child, resulting in a sentence of 27 years to life.
The distressing scene was uncovered on April 14, 2024, at Buskey’s residence. Authorities discovered the lifeless body of a severely malnourished girl, Charlotte, locked in a bedroom while her three-year-old brother was confined in a makeshift cage in the dining room.
Reports from the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Charlotte and her sibling endured neglect and malnourishment for an extended period. Isolated from the outside world, the children lacked contact with family, medical care, or education.
The statement emphasized that the children were confined within the squalid home, with Charlotte locked in her room and her brother in a cage, as Buskey indulged in drugs and video games, neglecting their basic needs.
Authorities highlighted that Charlotte’s door had a lock installed and reinforced with tape to prevent her escape. She slept in a cramped ‘pack n play,’ lacking adequate space to rest comfortably.
Tragically, Charlotte spent her final days isolated and neglected, leading to her demise from dehydration and starvation. Despite food being present in the household, she was left to perish in distressing conditions.
Buskey faced additional charges for supplying narcotics to his children, with both testing positive for cocaine. During sentencing, he expressed remorse and acknowledged his wrongdoing, accepting the consequences of his actions.
District Attorney Robert M. Carney condemned the heinous acts, noting the tragic deaths of Charlotte and another child within a short timeframe, attributing the incidents to the extreme indifference and cruelty displayed by the parents.
