Connecticut Girl, 12, Died of Benadryl Overdose After Alleged Sexual Assault
Investigators believe a 12-year-old Connecticut girl died of a Benadryl overdose after being sexually assaulted by her stepfather, who has since been charged with sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
A 12-year-old Connecticut girl died from acute Benadryl intoxication, according to investigators who believe she was sexually assaulted by her stepfather prior to her death. Eve Rogers was found dead in her Enfield home on March 18 with a lethal dose of the antihistamine in her system. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also reported the presence of antidepressant medications, Prozac and Wellbutrin, but listed the manner of death as an overdose with undetermined intent.
Eve's stepfather, Anthony Federline, 39, was arrested in April and charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He has not been charged with murder.
Investigators found Eve lying on her bedroom floor with blood dripping from her nose. A sexual assault kit performed on Eve before her autopsy found Federline's DNA, according to an arrest warrant. Federline told police that Eve had been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and was undergoing evaluation for bipolar disorder, also stating she was autistic.
Federline also told police that he and Eve communicated on Facebook and Snapchat, though he claimed their correspondence was not sexual. Investigators have sought warrants to search social media accounts, a family CVS Caremark account, and Amazon accounts belonging to Federline in an attempt to gather evidence that could lead to murder charges.
An HP laptop was found open on Eve's bedroom floor, displaying a YouTube webpage, suggesting recent use. Officials stated they would search the laptop for information on Eve's activities in the days leading up to her death.
Eve's mother, Melanie Federline, filed for divorce from Anthony Federline in July, months after her daughter's death. In the divorce filing, she sought sole custody of the child she had with Federline and requested a fair division of debts, child support, and property. The couple married in September 2018, and their child was born a year later. This child was taken into the custody of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families days after Federline was charged.
Two other children resided in the home at the time of Eve's death. Eve is remembered in her obituary as a deeply feeling individual with a passion for animals and a strong sense of justice and empathy. Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox stated that the investigation into the manner of death is active and ongoing.