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Father's 'Depraved Indifference' Leads to Daughter's Starvation Death
24 Jan
Summary
- Former MMA fighter pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
- Five-year-old daughter died of starvation and dehydration.
- Child was locked in her bedroom and deprived of food.
A former MMA fighter, Robert Buskey Jr., has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of his 5-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Buskey admitted in court on Friday, January 23, 2026, that his actions demonstrated "depraved indifference to human life" and recklessly caused his child's death.
Charlotte was discovered unresponsive in April 2024 and pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed she was severely emaciated and dehydrated, with no food found in her body. Prosecutors described the home as a "house of horrors," where Charlotte and her 3-year-old brother were isolated from the outside world, denied medical care and schooling.
Prosecutors stated Charlotte had been "entombed in her bedroom" until her death from starvation and dehydration. Buskey, 35, had placed a lock on the outside of her small bedroom door, which she could not escape. She was forced to sleep curled up in a tiny Pack 'n Play.
In addition to the murder charge, Buskey also pleaded guilty to giving cocaine to his 3-year-old son; both children tested positive for the drug. He is expected to receive a 25-year prison sentence for his crimes.
