ENFIELD - The wife of a man charged with sexually assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who was found dead in the family's home last month, said Sunday that she was surprised by the allegations against her husband.

"I was not aware of any of these allegations, and I'm still trying to understand what's happening. I'm allowing the legal process to unfold," Melanie Federline said of the arrest last week of Anthony Federline, 39, on charges of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.

Police were called to the family home on the 100 block of Elm Street on the morning of March 18 for a report of an unresponsive female child. At the scene, police confirmed 12-year-old Eve Rogers, Melanie Federline's daughter, had died. The cause and manner of the girl's death was pending further studies, a representative of the state Office of Chief Medical Examiner said Sunday.

"I'm taking this very seriously and cooperating fully," Melanie Federline said. "Right now, my priority is my children and their well-being, and I'm asking for privacy as we navigate this process."

Enfield police identified Anthony Federline as the girl's stepfather in the warrant for his arrest. An investigator noticed signs that Eve had been sexually assaulted, the warrant says. DNA samples taken from the girl and other family members, including Anthony Federline, identified him as a contributor to DNA found in a genital swab taken from the girl, the warrant says.

Officers also saw two pills on the floor of the girl's bedroom, according to Federline's arrest warrant. One pill was red or pink, and the other was clear with a white powder inside. There was another white pill with what appeared to be "Aspirin" marked on it on the girl's desk, the warrant states.

Ken Mysogland, a spokesperson with the state Department of Children and Families, said last week the agency is working with police to investigate Eve's death and the allegations of sexual assault against her stepfather.

Federline was being held on a $1 million bond and was scheduled to be arraigned at state Superior Court in Hartford Monday, police said.

This article originally published at Mom of girl found dead in Enfield home was 'not aware' husband allegedly sexually assaulted daughter.