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Background: News footage of the home in Enfield, Conn. where Eve Rogers was found dead on March 18 (WVIT). Inset (left): Anthony Federline (Enfield Police Department). Inset (right): Eve Rogers (GoFundMe).
A 39-year-old man has been charged with sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who was discovered deceased in their Connecticut residence.
The tragic discovery of Eve Rogers occurred on the morning of March 18, when her mother, Melanie Federline, attempted to awaken her. According to Enfield Police Department reports, emergency teams arrived at the scene at 10:25 a.m., where they pronounced Eve dead upon arrival. Investigators executed a search warrant at the home, gathering DNA samples from all residents.
While the cause of death remains undetermined, authorities reported in a Friday press release that Eve’s stepfather, Anthony Federline, was apprehended on charges of sexual assault and child endangerment.
Details from an arrest warrant, as reported by local NBC affiliate WVIT, revealed that Eve was discovered lying face down in her bedroom, partially covered by a blanket. Police noted the presence of blood and fluids from her nose, and that rigor mortis had set in.
Melanie Federline recounted to police that she first knocked on Eve’s door without receiving a reply. She subsequently unlocked the door using a butter knife. Upon finding her daughter, she turned Eve over and immediately called Anthony Federline for assistance.
According to the warrant, Melanie Federline told police that Eve had autism and POTS, a condition that causes an increased heartbeat when someone stands up after lying down.
Police said two pills were found in the room, one of which was aspirin. According to the warrant, evidence found on Eve’s body led police to conduct a sexual assault exam and collect DNA from everyone living in the household. Melanie Federline, Anthony Federline, and Eve’s three siblings all complied with police and provided their DNA.
According to the warrant, Anthony Federline consented to providing a DNA sample, but allegedly told investigators that it felt like the test was putting “salt in the wound.”
Investigators later determined that Anthony Federline’s DNA matched the sample taken from Eve’s body. Police charged him with sexual assault and risk of injury to a child and arrested him on April 2. He is currently being held in custody on $1 million surety bond. He has not been charged in connection with Eve’s death.
Melanie Federline told local news outlet CTPost.com on Sunday that she was “not aware of any of these allegations, and I’m still trying to understand what’s happening. I’m allowing the legal process to unfold.” She added that she was taking the allegations seriously and would continue to cooperate with investigators.
WVIT reported that Anthony Federline had been employed as a school bus driver for Enfield Public Schools through Smyth Bus Company. The school district superintendent Steven Moccio told WVIT that Anthony Federline had been terminated immediately, and that he had passed a criminal background check when he was first hired. Smyth Bus Company also told WVIT in a statement that they were cooperating with law enforcement.
Anthony Federline’s next court date was not available.
A GoFundMe page was started to cover Eve’s funeral expenses.