Tragic Baby Doe case returns to Boston courtroom
BOSTON — A judge on Tuesday granted a defense request to allow a second autopsy on the remains of "Baby Doe," four months after the tiny child's body washed up on the rocky shores of Boston Harbor.
Bella Bond's mother Rachelle Bond and her boyfriend Michael McCarthy are charged in connection with the Bella's death. McCarthy appeared in court clean shaven and neatly trimmed hair, much different from his disheveled appearance at arraignment a month ago. The 35-year-old has pleaded not guilty to murder and is being held without bail.
Bond, 40, is being held on $1 million cash bail and has pleaded not guilty to charges of being an accessory after the fact.
The autopsy will be conducted by experts hired by defense lawyers.
Outside the courtroom, Joseph Amoroso, Bella's biological father, said seeing Bond, his ex-girlfriend, makes him "disgusted."
"Justice is being served, that's all," Amoroso said.
Bella became internationally known as Baby Doe after her 2½-year-old body was found in a trash bag by a woman walking her dog. Authorities initially were unable to identify the body, setting off a massive search that drew headlines — and tips — from around the world.
Authorities issued a computer-generated picture depicting what she could have looked like alive, displaying it on billboards and in social media.
A break in the case came when a tip was called in by the sister of a friend of McCarthy and Bond. Prosecutors said the friend told police of the couple's mistreatment of the little girl: demeaning her, yelling at her and locking her in a closet while she screamed and cried because she was "possessed by demons."
Bond's lawyers, who said Bond only recently gained control over a drug habit, blamed McCarthy for Bella's death. McCarthy's lawyer has said his client denies involvement.
The state Department of Children and Families has said it had two contacts with Bella in 2012 and 2013 for "support and neglect" issues, but the cases were closed without any action being taken.