Mother, boyfriend charged in 2-year-old Baby Bella’s death appear in court
The next appearance will be November 19
The two people charged in the death of 2-year-old Bella Bond, the toddler whose body washed up on Deer Island, appeared in court briefly on Tuesday.
Rachelle Bond, Bella’s mother, and her boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, were charged last month in connection with the little girl’s death.
In a hearing in Dorchester District Court, assistant district attorney David Deakin said the prosecution would approve a second autopsy requested by the defense. Judge Lisa Ann Grant approved funds requested by the defense for a pathologist to examine Bella’s body.
A probable cause hearing was set for November 19.
Bond put the hood of her sweatshirt up and tilted her head so her hair shielded her face. McCarthy cut his hair, which was in a ponytail during his first appearance.
Prosecutors say McCarthy, who was charged with murder, killed Bella Bond by punching her repeatedly in the stomach. Rachelle Bond was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Both were charged with improper disposition of a body.
They have pleaded not guilty to their roles in the child’s death. Bond was held on $1 million bail, and McCarthy was held without bail.
After initially keeping the toddler’s corpse in a refrigerator—and spending a few days high on heroin—the pair weighted her body, put it in a bag, and dumped it into the waters off the South Boston Seaport.
The child’s body was found on June 25 on the shores of Deer Island. Authorities spent months trying in vain to identify the brown-eyed, chubby-cheeked “Baby Doe’’ as tips poured in from around the world.
During the hearing, a man believed to be Michael McCarthy’s father left without speaking to reporters. Joseph Amoroso, the man who claims to be Bella’s biological father, said he hopes the second autopsy uncovers more information.
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