A Connecticut man has been charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor following the death of his 12‑year‑old stepdaughter. The stepfather, Anthony Federone, 39, pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
The girl, identified as Eve Rogers, was discovered on March 18 in her bedroom, partially unclothed with a blanket covering her lower body. Blood and other fluids were observed running from her nose.
A sexual assault kit collected DNA evidence linking Federone to the victim. The investigation continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the assault.
Toxicology results revealed a lethal concentration of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, in the girl's blood. The level measured 23,000 ng/ml, far exceeding the lethal threshold for children.
The report estimated that approximately 1.8 liters of liquid diphenhydramine would be required to reach that concentration. Fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, was also detected despite no prescription for the child.
Investigators have not determined how the large dose was ingested. No evidence of sleep‑aid capsules, which also contain diphenhydramine, was found in the victim’s system.
The mother disclosed that she had purchased medication, sleep‑aid capsules, and a sexual pleasure device for her daughter using her Amazon account. She also reported finding suspicious online conversations involving the child, though police searches did not locate those messages.
Federone admitted using Facebook and Snapchat to communicate with his stepdaughter, asserting the exchanges were not sexual. Law enforcement is examining his social‑media activity and other digital accounts, including the family’s CVS Caremark and two Amazon accounts, as part of the investigation.
No charges have been filed in connection with the child's death, and the cause remains under investigation.
