Charlotte Buskey was a vibrant young girl who loved bubbles and playing with dolls, her aunt said on Tuesday, two days after the 5-year-old died of starvation in an Elmer Avenue home.
Charlotte’s father, Robert Buskey, was arrested on Monday and charged with a felony count of second-degree manslaughter, along with three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in connection with the girl’s death.
According to police, Charlotte died after not receiving food and water over the course of five days, with the girl passing away at approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday.
Schenectady resident Nikki Buskey said she believes that her brother Robert neglected his daughter in the days and hours leading up to her tragic death. Based on conversations with other family members, Buskey said, she thinks her brother forgot the girl was in her room. “He forgot about her and happened to go in the room at 2 a.m. [Sunday] and found her.”
Nikki Buskey said that Charlotte had an effervescent personality and loved to take photos with her family members featuring colorful Snapchat filters.
Charlotte Buskey
“She loved playing with her dolls, but bubbles were her favorite,” Buskey said of her niece. “She absolutely loved going to the park. She would get in her wagon and have us zoom her around. She thought it was the funniest thing ever.”
Charlotte’s 3-year-old younger brother tested positive for cocaine and was under medical care after being found at the scene. The child was set to be released from the hospital on Tuesday, according to Nikki Buskey. The child will be under the supervision of Buskey’s extended family.
Nikki Buskey said on Tuesday that she had not spoken to her brother for several months after a recent falling out and said his alleged drug use had recently worsened.
“I haven’t seen him in a couple months, but I heard rumors that he was really bad on the drugs and I kept telling people about it,” Buskey said. “The last few months Bob wouldn’t let anybody see the children.”
203 Elmer Ave. in Schenectady is seen Monday.
Buskey said that her brother had a live-in girlfriend that was residing at 203 Elmer Ave. at the time of Charlotte’s death.
Schenectady police did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding Buskey’s girlfriend.
“That baby was starved for five days,” Nikki Buskey said. “My niece was slightly autistic and had mental issues and she’s 5 years old. I know how she is. I know for a fact that she must have been screaming and pounding on the door begging for help and asking for her daddy.”
Buskey is a former amateur MMA fighter who used the nickname “Jitspanda” in reference to his ample size.
Buskey’s Monday mugshot shows a significant weight loss from the fight photo he posed for several years earlier that depicts the amateur fighter with his fists raised to the camera.
Robert S. Buskey
The complaint filed in Schenectady City Court against Buskey charges that he was negligent of protecting the well-being of the children in his custody, with Charlotte not given food or water between April 10 and her death in the early hours of April 14.
“There’s probable cause to support the charges that have been filed,” Schenectady County Assistant District Attorney John Carson said. “The District Attorney’s office certainly agrees with the Schenectady Police Department that there was probable cause to support those charges. They remain allegations at this time.”
Under state law, parents are responsible for the care of a child 18 years or younger to ensure they are not abused or neglected.
“I want justice for my niece and my nephew,” Nikki Buskey said. “Bob deserves everything that he gets, but she [Buskey’s girlfriend] needs to be held accountable for her actions, too.”