Michael Patrick McCarthy, 35, of Quincy, and his girlfriend Rachelle D. Bond, 40, both residing at 115 Maxwell St., Dorchester appeared before Dorchester District Court on Monday morning facing charges related to the death of toddler Bella Bond.
McCarthy was ordered held without bail, while Bond was held on $1 million cash bail and instructed to return to court on Oct. 20. Both defendants have prior records that include arrests on drug-related charges.
After 85 days of being known as Baby Doe or Deer Island Doe, Bella Bond was identified last week following a tip from someone acquainted with McCarthy. On June 25, a woman discovered Bella’s remains on the Deer Island shore in Winthrop while walking her dog. The child was placed in a plastic contractor’s bag, dressed in white with black polka dot leggings and covered with a fleece blanket. For several weeks, authorities from Winthrop Police, State Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office distributed composite photographs of the two-and-a-half-year-old, established a hotline, and created special billboards featuring her image. The case gained international attention as Bella’s photograph circulated widely on Facebook and Twitter.
Local high school students Madelyn Fainga’a, Meghan Chavis and Danielle Eocchia listened as officials discussed Bella Bond’s case.
Despite efforts to locate family members, no one connected to Bella came forward to identify her.
A vigil drawing 300-400 attendees took place Monday evening at Deer Island. Notable guests included Gov. Charlie Baker and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, a Winthrop resident. Substantial donations have been received for Bella’s burial expenses. According to officials, the medical examiner’s office will retain her body for several additional weeks to complete testing. Following that, the biological father will determine the burial arrangements. He indicated to a Boston Herald reporter that he would accept burial at Winthrop Cemetery, where his great grandmother is also interred.