A former amateur MMA fighter from New York is facing decades in prison after pleading guilty in a case that shocked both local authorities and the regional fight community.
Robert Buskey, a former super heavyweight competitor from Schenectady, admitted to second-degree murder in connection with the death of his five-year-old daughter Charlotte. Prosecutors said the child died from severe dehydration and starvation after being locked inside a bedroom while Buskey remained in the same home.
According to a report by New York Post, authorities discovered Charlotte on April 14, 2024. Investigators said she was found inside a portable playpen in a room that had been locked from the outside.
Medical reports determined her body showed extreme signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Officials said the house contained large amounts of food, including boxes stored directly outside the bedroom door.
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Prosecutors also said Buskey had reinforced the door lock with tape after the child previously managed to open it. His three-year-old son was also found inside the home in a serious state of malnutrition.
Both children tested positive for cocaine during the investigation. Buskey competed as an amateur MMA super heavyweight between 2015 and 2022 and compiled a 3-1 record. His final three victories ended in first-round knockouts.
A former coach told investigators that Buskey’s fighting career ended as his drug use worsened. Attempts to convince him to seek help were reportedly ignored. Buskey now faces a potential sentence of up to 27 years in prison under the terms of his guilty plea.
Who is Robert Buskey? Former MMA fighter now awaiting sentencing in child starvation case
Robert Buskey is a former amateur super heavyweight mixed martial artist from Schenectady, New York, whose name recently surfaced nationwide following a murder conviction involving his five-year-old daughter.
Born on August 4, 1990, Buskey competed in regional MMA events across New York’s Capital Region between 2015 and 2022. Fighting under the nickname ‘Jitspanda’, he compiled a 3-1 amateur record and won three consecutive bouts by first-round stoppage.
His most notable victory came at Cage Wars 40 in 2019 when he defeated Travis Streeter to claim the vacant super heavyweight title.
Edited by Abhishek Nambiar
