Rensselaer man pleads guilty to murder, rape of 3-year-old

A Rensselaer man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree rape of 3-year-old Josefina Cunningham of Rensselaer in July 2023.

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Rensselaer man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree rape of 3-year-old Josefina Cunningham of Rensselaer in July 2023. Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said Robert Fisher, 34, pleaded guilty to Cunningham's death in court on Tuesday.

On July 7, 2023, at 7:20 a.m., police were called to 1552 Broadway for an unresponsive 3-year-old girl, later identified as Cunningham, who was transported to Albany Medical Center and died. Fisher attempted to stop police from entering the crime scene.

Investigators and prosecutors said the case was incredibly disturbing and required the help of multiple agencies. Fisher will be sentenced on Tuesday, Aug. 6, in Rensselaer County Court.