Father Sentenced to 27 Years to Life in Prison for Starvation Death of 5-Year-Old Daughter
A New York father has been sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for the starvation death of his 5-year-old daughter, a case that laid bare a shocking scene of neglect and abuse described by investigators as a 'house of horrors.'
Robert Buskey Jr., 35, was sentenced on April 3 after pleading guilty in January to second-degree murder and criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child, according to the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office. The plea agreement carried the maximum penalty allowed by law.
Authorities detailed a harrowing sequence of neglect. Prosecutors stated Buskey confined his daughter, Charlotte, and his 3-year-old son for months, isolating them from family, school, and medical care. The children were locked away—Charlotte in a bedroom with only a small pack-and-play, and the boy in a makeshift cage in the dining room—so Buskey could use drugs and play video games uninterrupted.
On April 14, 2024, police discovered Charlotte's severely emaciated body. An autopsy confirmed she died from severe dehydration and malnutrition, despite food being available in the home. Both children tested positive for cocaine.
"Under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, he recklessly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of serious injury or death," the District Attorney's office said in a statement regarding Buskey's admitted actions.
At sentencing, Buskey told the court, "I deserve it. I understand why I am being prosecuted here. I understand the reasons why everyone looks at me as a monster." His defense attorney cited struggles with addiction and mental health, suggesting others could have intervened.
Judge Matthew Sypniewski firmly rejected that argument during the proceedings. "This has everything and only to do with... an absolute narcissist, self-absorbed individual who is so selfish and has no empathy for what was a locked-up 5-year-old starving to death behind that door," he stated.
As part of the plea, Buskey waived his right to appeal and is under a protection order barring contact with his surviving son, now 5.
Community Reaction & Analysis: The case has sparked intense local debate about child welfare systems and parental accountability. "This wasn't just failure; it was a deliberate, sustained act of torture against the most vulnerable," said Maya Rodriguez, a former child protective services supervisor. "The sentence reflects the severity, but the question remains: how were these signs missed for so long?"
Others expressed raw anger. David Chen, a local father of two, reacted sharply: "27 years isn't enough. He forfeited his humanity. Calling it a 'house of horrors' sanitizes it—it was a torture chamber he created for his own kids. The system failed Charlotte utterly."
Conversely, Rev. Sarah Miller, who runs a community outreach program, urged a broader perspective: "While nothing excuses his actions, this is also a tragic story of addiction and untreated mental illness collapsing a family. It's a grim reminder of how isolation and despair can metastasize. We must strengthen support networks to prevent such utter collapse."
Background: Buskey was previously known in the area as an amateur mixed martial arts fighter who competed in local 'Cage Wars' events, a stark contrast to the predatory confinement he inflicted on his children.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The service is confidential, free, and available 24/7 in over 170 languages.