A 39-year-old Connecticut man, Anthony Federline, faces serious charges following the death of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Eve Rogers. Authorities charged Federline with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor in April, according to the Enfield Police Department.
Rogers was found deceased in her home on March 18 with a lethal amount of diphenhydramine — the active component in Benadryl — in her system, court documents indicate. Her mother discovered her on her bedroom floor, partially unclothed, with concerning physical signs.
After performing a sexual assault kit, authorities identified Federline as a DNA contributor, though no charges for the girl’s death have been made. Toxicology results revealed a diphenhydramine level of 23,000 ng/ml in Rogers’ blood. In contrast, lethal levels are 4,390 ng/ml for children and 14,720 ng/ml for adults.
The medical examiner explained that Rogers would have needed to ingest approximately 1.8 liters of the substance to reach these levels. Fluoxetine, a medication not prescribed to her, was also detected in her system.
Investigators have not determined how she consumed such a high dosage. Rogers’ mother mentioned using Amazon to purchase medications, Sleep Aid capsules, and a device for her daughter, although no capsules were found in the girl’s body.
Authorities are examining Federline’s Facebook and Snapchat activities, along with the family’s CVS Caremark and two Amazon accounts, searching for clues regarding the girl’s death. Federline denied any sexual nature in his online interactions with Rogers, yet the investigation continues.
Federline has entered a plea of not guilty to the existing charges. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month as detectives continue to investigate his online activities.