A Connecticut man has been charged with sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who was found dead in her home on March 18 with a lethal dose of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in her system. Anthony Federline, 39, faces charges of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, according to the Enfield Police Department.
As part of the investigation into Eve Rogers' death, authorities are seeking to search Federline's Facebook and Snapchat accounts, as well as the family's CVS Caremark and two Amazon accounts. Court documents indicate Federline was identified as a contributor from a DNA swab taken during a sexual assault kit performed on the girl before her autopsy.
Investigation into Cause of Death
The medical examiner determined that toxicology testing revealed a lethal dosage of diphenhydramine in Rogers' system. Fluoxetine, an antidepressant also known as Prozac, was also found, although it was not prescribed to her. The report showed a diphenhydramine level of 23,000 ng/ml in Rogers’ blood, significantly exceeding lethal concentrations, which are listed at 4,390 ng/ml for children and 14,720 ng/ml for adults. Investigators noted that the medical examiner stated Rogers would have had to ingest approximately 1.8 liters of liquid diphenhydramine to reach the blood level found.
Investigators are working to determine how the girl ingested such a large dosage. According to court documents, her mother told detectives she had purchased medication, Sleep Aid capsules, and a "sexual pleasure device" for her daughter through her Amazon account. However, no dyes were found in the girl's system to suggest she had ingested Sleep Aid capsules. The mother also reported finding inappropriate online conversations between her daughter and unknown individuals, though police did not find evidence of these conversations during their searches.
Stepfather's Involvement and Legal Proceedings
Federline told detectives that he communicated with his stepdaughter via Facebook and Snapchat, but maintained that the conversations were not of a sexual nature. New search warrants are examining Federline's online activity in the months leading up to the girl's death.
Federline has pleaded not guilty to the sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor charges. He is scheduled to appear in court again later this month. No charges have been filed specifically in connection with the girl's death at this time.