Man accused of sexually assaulting stepdaughter before her death faces judge
An investigation into how a 12-year-old girl in Enfield died in March continues.
Her stepfather was charged with sex assault more than two weeks after her death, based on what detectives found during their investigation, according to the police chief.
Anthony Federline was arraigned in court Monday, and his bond was kept at $1 million. He did not enter a plea.
Federline was a school bus driver with Enfield Public Schools until he was arrested, when he was fired. Enfield parents are telling NBC Connecticut that even though he is no longer a bus driver, they are angry he was allowed to drive during the investigation at all.
“We just wanted answers, we wanted accountability, we wanted some sort of transparency, we wanted answers from somebody,” said Malcolm Maxwell-Frechette, a parent of a second grader who would ride Federline’s bus.
Maxwell-Frechette said he and other neighborhood parents have a lot of questions as to why Federline, charged with child sexual assault, was still driving children around during the two-and-a-half-week investigation that ultimately led to his arrest.
Last week, Federline was arrested, accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter, who was found dead in her home the morning of March 18.
“We had our criticisms of his conduct and behavior towards his kids for a while,” said Maxwell-Frechette.
Maxwell-Frechette said they complained in person to Hazardville Memorial Elementary School about Federline in the fall, saying he was ill-tempered.
Upon our request, Enfield School District provided what they say is the only complaint on file from Smyth Bus Company about Federline, made by a different family in October.
“I’ve also been told by my son and other students on this bus that the bus driver does not like when they talk. I tried to clarify with these students if they meant when they yell or when they are loud, and the five students I spoke with all said that even when they say one word, in a normal talking voice, they are told to be quiet,” the complaint reads in part.
After Federline’s stepdaughter was found dead mid-March, Federline was seen driving for the school district, something parents like Maxwell-Frechette called the school about as the investigation was ongoing.
“DCF was involved [with the investigation into the girl’s death], and we didn’t know why someone working around children would still be there,” said Maxwell-Frechette.
In a statement to families, Enfield superintendent Steven Moccio addressed the concerns in part by saying “Mr. Federline was removed from his position upon the district’s notification of arrest. Prior to that time, the district was unaware that he was a person of interest.”
They also shared a statement from Smyth bus company who says in part: “We acted immediately, and we are fully cooperating with authorities.”
Maxwell-Frechette says this incident has been traumatizing for the community and that he wants to see more precautions taken to protect kids in the community.
“It’s terrifying still to this day, I’m glad he’s gone and won’t be driving kids anymore, but it doesn’t make me feel any better about the situation,” Maxwell-Frechette said.
Enfield police say the investigation is ongoing, and the 12-year-old’s cause of death is still pending.
From breaking news and local politics to art exhibitions, live music, high school sports, small businesses, and cultural events, we celebrate the people and places that make Connecticut unique.