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).
In a deeply unsettling development in Connecticut, the stepfather of a young girl tragically discovered lifeless in her home has been charged with her sexual assault. The girl, identified as 12-year-old Eve Rogers, was found by her mother, Melanie Federline, on the morning of March 18 when she attempted to rouse her daughter. Enfield Police Department reports confirm that emergency responders arrived at the scene at 10:25 a.m., where Eve was pronounced deceased.
Following her death, police executed a search warrant at the residence, gathering DNA samples from all household members. While the specific cause of Eve’s death remains undisclosed, authorities announced on Friday that her stepfather, 39-year-old Anthony Federline, has been arrested and faces charges of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Details from an arrest warrant, as reported by NBC affiliate WVIT, reveal that Eve was discovered lying face down on her bedroom floor with a blanket partially covering her lower body. Police noted the presence of blood and fluids from her nose, and signs that rigor mortis had begun.
Melanie Federline recounted to the police the heart-wrenching moment she found her daughter. After receiving no response to her knocks, she unlocked Eve’s door using a butter knife. Upon entering, she discovered Eve’s unresponsive body and immediately summoned Anthony Federline for assistance.
The warrant further discloses that Eve had been living with autism and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition marked by an increased heart rate upon standing. Melanie Federline provided this information to the police as they continue to investigate the tragic circumstances surrounding her daughter’s untimely death.
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.
