Man who raped 3-year-old dies

Robert Fisher, a 34-year-old man convicted for the rape and murder of three-year-old Josefina Cunningham, has died in prison at the Elmira Correctional Facility just one month into his 20-year-to-life sentence. Fisher, who pleaded guilty in July 2024, drugged, assaulted, and killed the child while babysitting her in Rensselaer, New York, and attempted to cover up his crimes using Clorox wipes. Josefina's mother discovered her daughter unresponsive, prompting an investigation that led to Fisher's arrest. The cause of death has yet to be determined by the Chemung County Medical Examiner’s Office. Family members of the victim, including her brother, expressed a desire to honor her memory and advocate for a federal death penalty for heinous crimes. Fisher's death has sparked mixed reactions within the community, with some expressing relief and others advocating for justice reform.