Robert Buskey, a former super heavyweight MMA champion, has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his five-year-old daughter, Charlotte. He now faces a 27-year prison sentence for the crime.
Buskey, hailing from Schenectady, New York, was an amateur mixed martial artist with a 2-1 record. Known for his powerful striking despite the nickname ‘Jitspanda,’ Buskey began his amateur career with a submission loss but then secured two consecutive first-round knockout victories, earning him the vacant Cage Wars super heavyweight title. He later transitioned to kickboxing, achieving another first-round finish in his sole fight. Despite these athletic accomplishments, the 35-year-old never reached widespread professional renown. However, he garnered unwanted notoriety due to the horrific act committed against his daughter, leading to her tragic death.
Reports indicate that Charlotte died from extreme dehydration and starvation. Her three-year-old brother was also discovered in a severely neglected state, imprisoned in a cage and severely malnourished. During this period, Robert Buskey was reportedly engrossed in drug use and video games, neglecting his children’s basic needs. Despite a fully stocked pantry, he failed to provide them with food. Post-mortem examinations also revealed the presence of cocaine in both children’s systems.
Charlotte was reportedly confined to a bedroom, which Robert Buskey had locked from the exterior. The room lacked a bed, compelling the young girl to seek comfort elsewhere, often resorting to her small playpen.
The Schenectady County District Attorney’s report detailed Charlotte’s severe deprivation, stating that ‘her eyes were sunken into her skull and her body completely emaciated’ due to the lack of food and water.
Having pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, Robert Buskey received the maximum sentence legally permissible for his crime.
