Wife of CT man charged in case involving daughter says she knew nothing

A Connecticut man was arrested on charges related to an alleged sexual assault of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, who was found dead; the girl's mother says she was unaware of the allegations. The man is held on $1 million bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

Melanie Federline said she was not aware of allegations against her husband, Anthony Federline, and that she is allowing the legal process to proceed. Police were called to the family's home on Elm Street on the morning of March 18 after officers found her 12-year-old daughter unresponsive; the girl was later confirmed dead and the medical examiner is studying the cause and manner. A warrant says an investigator observed signs of sexual assault and that DNA testing identified Federline as a contributor to DNA found in a swab from the girl. The state Department of Children and Families is working with police, and Federline was being held on a $1 million bond with an arraignment scheduled for Monday. Known details: - Anthony Federline, 39, was arrested on charges of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. - Melanie Federline, the girl's mother, said she was unaware of the allegations and is cooperating with the legal process. - Police found the 12-year-old girl unresponsive on March 18; the medical examiner is conducting further study on cause and manner of death. - DNA testing reported Federline as a contributor to DNA from a swab taken from the girl; he is held on $1 million bond and scheduled for arraignment. Summary: Officials reported the arrest and said the state Department of Children and Families is assisting investigators. The cause and manner of the child's death remain pending; the defendant is held on bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.