A Connecticut man faces charges related to the death of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who was discovered unresponsive in her home with a fatal amount of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in her system. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death, expanding their probe into potential digital evidence.
Man Accused of Sexual Assault Amid Investigation
Anthony Federline, 39, was arrested in April and charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. These charges stem from the death of Eve Rogers, who was found deceased in her Enfield residence on March 18. According to court documents, Eve’s mother discovered her daughter on the bedroom floor, partially clothed and covered by a blanket. The documents describe signs of distress, including blood and other fluids emanating from her nose.
A sexual assault kit was administered to Eve prior to her autopsy. An arrest warrant indicated that DNA analysis from a swab identified Federline as a contributor. However, as of the latest reports, no charges have been filed specifically in connection with Eve’s death.
Probe Widens to Digital Footprints and Medication Use
The investigation into Eve Rogers’ death has intensified, with law enforcement seeking to examine Federline’s digital communications. Court documents reveal that authorities intend to search his Facebook and Snapchat accounts. Additionally, investigators are seeking access to the family’s CVS Caremark account and two Amazon accounts as part of their ongoing inquiry.
The medical examiner’s findings were crucial in advancing the investigation. Toxicology reports confirmed the presence of a lethal quantity of diphenhydramine in Eve’s system. The report detailed a diphenhydramine blood concentration of 23,000 ng/ml. For context, lethal levels are cited as approximately 4,390 ng/ml for children and 14,720 ng/ml for adults. The medical examiner estimated that Eve would have needed to consume roughly 1.8 liters of liquid diphenhydramine to reach such a level.
Adding another layer to the case, fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, was also detected in Eve’s system, despite it not being a prescribed medication for her. Investigators are working to understand how Eve ingested such a significant dosage of diphenhydramine, as the method of ingestion remains unclear.
Family’s Purchases and Online Interactions Under Scrutiny
Eve’s mother reportedly told detectives that she had used her Amazon account to purchase various items for her daughter, including sleep aid capsules and a device described as a “sexual pleasure device.” However, investigators noted that no dyes, typically found in sleep aid products, were present in Eve’s system, casting doubt on that specific ingestion pathway despite the high diphenhydramine levels.
The mother also mentioned discovering what she described as inappropriate online conversations between Eve and unknown individuals. However, searches conducted by the police did not corroborate the existence of these specific conversations.
Federline’s Statements and Legal Proceedings
During questioning, Federline acknowledged using social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat to communicate with his stepdaughter. He maintained that these interactions were not of a sexual nature. The new search warrants underscore investigators’ focus on Federline’s online activities in the months leading up to Eve’s death.
Anthony Federline has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He is scheduled to appear in court again later this month. The investigation into the precise cause and manner of Eve Rogers’ death, including the overdose of diphenhydramine, is ongoing, with no charges yet filed directly related to the overdose itself.
