BOSTON, Sept. 18 (UPI) — Authorities have identified “Baby Doe” — a two and-a-half year old girl who was found dead and her body stuffed into a trash bag earlier this summer — and her mother and her boyfriend now face charges in her death, officials said Friday.
The grisly discovery was made on the rocky shore of Boston Harbor in June, but for weeks investigators did not know who the girl was. Ultimately, officials issued a computer-generated photo that showed what she may have looked like at the time of her death — with the hope someone might recognize the child and help police identify her.
Friday, officials said the girl’s name was Bella Bond. They were able to come up with her identity largely because of a phone tip called into the Boston Police Department.
Rachelle Bond, the child’s mother, and Michael Patrick McCarthy, her boyfriend, were arrested and face charges stemming from Bella’s death.
McCarthy, 40, will be charged for causing the girl’s death, officials said. Bond, 35, faces prosecution for allegedly being an accessory after the fact.
“We allege that McCarthy caused Bella’s death, that he did so intentionally, that he and Bond took specific steps to keep Bella’s death a secret and to avoid prosecution,” Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said Friday.
It was not immediately revealed exactly how Bella died, but Conley said additional details will be released when the pair are formally charged on Monday.
The girl’s death and subsequent CG photo solicited outrage nationwide from people who wondered how anyone would want to kill such a young child — sentiments echoed by Conley.
“Why would anyone want to kill a two and a half year old child? What could she have done?” he asked. “At just shy of three years old, Bella Bond was a true innocent.”
One official reportedly said McCarthy and Bond each have criminal records.
“Eighty-five days after we found her body on the shoreline, we’re at least able to speak for baby Bella” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Richard McKeon. “Now we will give her justice.”
