A local community is reeling after Enfield police arrested 39-year-old Anthony Federline on Friday, charging him with sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. The charges stem from an investigation into the death of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Eve Rogers, who was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom last month.
On the morning of March 18, Melanie Federline went to wake her daughter. When she received no response, she used a butter knife to open the locked bedroom door.
According to court documents, she found Eve lying face down on the floor with a blanket covering her lower body. Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 10:25 a.m. and pronounced the girl dead. Investigators noted that blood and fluids were present, and rigor mortis had already begun to set in.
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While a cause of death for the 12-year-old has not yet been determined, the investigation shifted focus after a sexual assault exam was performed.
Police collected DNA samples from every person living in the household, including Eve’s mother, her three siblings, and Anthony Federline. Although Anthony Federline reportedly told investigators that providing the sample felt like “salt in the wound,” police later determined his DNA matched evidence recovered from Eve’s body.
The arrest warrant reveals that Eve had autism and POTS, a condition affecting heart rate. During a search of the room, police also discovered two pills, one of which was identified as aspirin.
Following the DNA match, Anthony Federline was arrested on April 2. He is currently being held on a $1 million surety bond. It is important to note that while he faces sexual assault charges, he has not been charged in connection with the girl’s death.
In the wake of the arrest, Melanie Federline spoke to CTPost.com, stating she was “not aware of any of these allegations” and is “still trying to understand what’s happening.” She emphasized that she is cooperating fully with the legal process.
The impact of the arrest has extended to the local school system. Anthony Federline worked as a school bus driver for Enfield Public Schools through Smyth Bus Company.
Superintendent Steven Moccio confirmed that Federline was terminated immediately following the news. The bus company noted that Federline had passed a criminal background check at the time of his hiring and stated they are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with funeral expenses for the child.
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