'Baby Doe' Identified As Bella Bond, Mother, Boyfriend Charged in Death of Toddler Found on Boston Harbor Beach

Toddler Murder Case
A billboard on Route 95 shows the image of the toddler found on Deer Island, whom police are trying to identify in Canton, Massachusetts, July 20, 2015. REUTERS/MassDOT

Three months ago, the remains of a 2-1/2-year-old girl was found on a Boston Harbor beach. Today, Massachusetts officials believe that she was murdered and on Friday arrested her mother and her mother's 35-year-old boyfriend, according to a county prosecutor. 

A woman walking her dog found the unidentified body stuffed into a plastic bag in June, prompting police to launch a billboard campaign featuring a computer image of what the girl may have looked like in life. She quickly became known as "Baby Doe."

"Her name was Bella," Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley told reporters on Friday. "This child, whose very name means beauty, was murdered."

Michael Patrick McCarthy, 35, has been arrested and charged with the girl's murder, Conley said. The girl's mother, Rachelle Bond, 40, was also arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact.

"We believe 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," Conley said.

He declined to specify a cause of death.

It could not immediately be learned if the two had retained lawyers. McCarthy is currently hospitalized for an unrelated medical condition, Conley said, adding that the two are to be arraigned on Monday.

The child's father has been identified, said Conley, who declined to disclose his name.

Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who represents the Boston neighborhood where the girl lived, said he had been told that the child's mother and her boyfriend had traded blame for her death during questioning by police.

Governor Charlie Baker told reporters he had been briefed on the matter and that state child welfare workers had had contact with the family before the girl's disappearance.

"Something like this hits us all hard," said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, adding that a tip called into police investigators had led to the arrest. "To learn today that the young Baby Doe was not even 3 years old breaks everybody's heart."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.