This is a good article. Click here for more information.

Murder of Bella Bond

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bella Bond
Bella Bond Baby Doe.jpg
Undated photograph of Bella Bond
Born
Bella Neveah Amoroso Bond

August 6, 2012[1]
StatusIdentified after 85 days
Diedc. May – June 2015 (aged 2)
Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts
Cause of deathUndetermined; manner considered homicide[2][3]
Body discoveredJune 25, 2015
Resting placeWinthrop Cemetery
Other names"Baby Doe"
Known forFormer unidentified decedent
Height3 ft 1 in (0.94 m) (minimum)
3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) (maximum)
Parents
  • Joe Amoroso (father)
  • Rachelle Bond (mother)

Bella Neveah Amoroso Bond[4][5] (August 6, 2012 – May or June 2015),[6][7][8] previously known as the Deer Island Jane Doe and "Baby Doe",[9][10] was an American child whose body was found in a plastic bag on the shore of Deer Island in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 25, 2015.[11]

Authorities pursued numerous leads of investigation into discovering the child's identity until their efforts proved successful in September 2015.[12][13] This publicity generated many tips with possible leads, one of which led to the girl's identity. Bella Bond was identified on September 18, 2015.[8][13]

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children facially reconstructed the child's face to provide the public with an estimation of the victim's appearance during life.[14] They aimed to generate tips to a potential identity and to locate the individual or individuals responsible for the disposal of her body.[14] After the reconstruction was released and news coverage began nationwide, a large amount of public attention emerged; an estimated 56 million people viewed reports on the case.[9][15][16][17][18] Half of these occurred within the first week after the body was found.[19]

Bond's mother, Rachelle Bond, and her boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, were arrested, and authorities confirmed that Bella had been murdered, despite the fact that an initial autopsy performed on the body did not uncover the exact cause of death.[2][20][21][22]

Rachelle Bond was charged with being an "accessory after the fact" in regards to her daughter's murder; she later pleaded guilty as the result of a plea deal.[2][5][23] McCarthy was charged with murder in the case and was later convicted of murder in the second degree. On June 28, 2017, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with future parole.

Discovery[]

The body of Bella Bond was found inside a plastic garbage bag on the shoreline of Deer Island near Boston, Massachusetts.[24][25] A woman walking her dog discovered Bond's remains on the afternoon of June 25, 2015, when the dog stopped at the plastic bag.[24] After the body was found, the public placed flowers near the scene.[26] She wore only a pair of white leggings designed with a black polka-dot pattern. A zebra-print blanket was also inside the bag.[9][19][27][28] Initially, police were unsure if additional bodies would be at the scene, so they attempted unsuccessfully to use cadaver dogs to locate any other possible remains.[29]

Deer Island. The body of Bella Bond was discovered at this location on June 25, 2015

Authorities originally estimated that the girl had died within days of her discovery.[30] Later developments in the case have suggested that Bella's body had been "hidden in a fridge" for as long as one month before it was deposited on Deer Island.[31][32] Despite the fact that she appeared to have been deceased only a short time, she had already begun to decompose and become bloated, so was impossible to identify visually.[11][33] Decomposition had also made it impossible to collect fingerprints, due to exposure to the water.[34] Investigators were able to conclude that she was a young child, but were initially unsure of her race and ethnicity.[27][35]

Just how the remains had settled at the location was unknown; the body might either have been placed at the beach or may have drifted in the water from another location, some presuming from as far away as Canada.[36][37] The United States Coast Guard entered the investigation and analyzed the currents of the water in the area to estimate where the bag containing the remains could have originated.[38][39][40] Dive teams were also used around the time the body was discovered.[41] As of mid-July and August, authorities believed the victim had been placed at the scene, rather than washing onto Deer Island from another location, because the body was not in an advanced enough stage of decomposition.[17][37][42] The beach is near a wastewater treatment plant.[43] One of the investigators thought a possibility existed that the disposal had been performed by an employee of the nearby water-treatment plant.[15] Since the area has been regarded as a "busy" area for both workers and the public, the person who placed the bag at the scene possibly did so at night, to avoid being seen.[44]

Examination[]

An autopsy was conducted on July 3, but did not conclude what had caused the girl's death.[41] While authorities suspected foul play as a factor in the case,[45] no signs of obvious injury had been found on the remains.[46][47] Tests were later conducted to find any toxins, drugs, or alcohol present in the body as a possible explanation for the death.[20][43][48] Examiners were unable to find any trace of cleaners such as bleach in the remains, but continued with more testing in hopes of finding another toxin as a possible cause of death.[37][49] After the identification of the victim, a conclusive cause of death had yet to be announced, despite all forms of "natural death [having] been excluded".[3] Suffocation had not been ruled out as the cause.[3]

The clothing found on the toddler, believed to be "size 4T" was determined to have been manufactured by the Circo company and was likely sold at a Target store.[14][50] The blanket was possibly made by the Cannon Mills company and sold at K-Mart.[14][43] A hair band made from elastic material was also found.[11]

The child was eventually determined to be between the ages of three and five and appeared to be white, with possible Hispanic ancestry.[46][51] Her hair was described as being "brown, wavy and fourteen inches in length".[52] Presumably, the child's hair was left untrimmed for about two years, judging by its length.[53] She was also estimated to be between three feet, one and three feet, six inches tall and weighed around 30 pounds.[24][27][37][47] No distinct birthmarks or scars were on the body.[11] The girl was later discovered to have had pierced ears, so the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated image of the child wearing earrings.[54][55] The girl appeared to have been "well-cared for" during her life; no signs of malnutrition or abuse were noted,[45] and investigators stated the clothing also reinforced the theory.[15]

A forensic facial reconstruction created of Bella Bond by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: This forensic reconstruction generated a large amount of publicity.

Investigation[]

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children digitally reconstructed the face of the child after preceding attempts to identify the body failed.[46][56][57] The reconstruction was created in four hours using Adobe Photoshop with the influence of mortuary and "stock" photographs to give an estimation of the child's appearance while alive.[43][46][58] The reconstruction, created by forensic artist Christi Andrews, was released on July 2, 2015.[36][59][60] Because of the end result of the composite created with Adobe Photoshop, many viewers mistook it for an actual photograph.[33] The organization also digitally enhanced images of the leggings and the blanket found with the remains and created a poster featuring them on their website.[21][27][61] Flyers containing images of the Jane Doe and her belongings were eventually dispersed in hopes of obtaining more information.[55] After the child's identification, some individuals who were familiar with the Bonds claimed they did not see a resemblance between the composite and Bella.[62]

The child was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System on July 4, 2015, including details of the discovery of the subject and physical estimations. Many missing persons were excluded as possible identities; authorities checked Shoshana Black, Paula Ramerez-Figuroa, Ofir Ben–Haim, Cassidy Gibbs, and Ayla Reynolds.[11][63] Other leads were pursued involving children who were reported missing, some of whom were foreign to the United States.[41][64] Some of the potential matches were later located alive.[9][36] The disappearance case of Sarah Hoggle had been analyzed to have a possible link to the case, yet investigators stated it was "unlikely" to have been related to this case.[65] In all, over 200 missing people were ruled out from the case.[4]

A press conference displaying the reconstruction and the enhanced images of the clothing and blanket was later held at the location where the body was found.[9][14][66] It was televised to ask the public for assistance identifying the victim and to request of those who may have known her, especially her parents, to identify the girl.[9][14][66] During the press conference, officials urged viewers to be aware of children who may have disappeared or gone unaccounted for in the days leading up to the celebration of Independence Day.[46][67][68] Despite their hopes, no one came forward to claim responsibility for the crime or to confirm who the victim was.[35] Hundreds of tips were submitted over the phone and online and were investigated.[9][43]

When searching missing-persons databases produced few cases matching her profile, authorities began to believe that the child may never have been reported missing. They explored the guess that the family of the child could be unaware of her death.[69] Another explanation for why no matches were achieved was that she could have belonged to an undocumented family.[15] Police were focused on investigating in the local community, yet they believed the girl possibly was not from the area and continued to search through various cases of missing children.[35][43][63]

Among other theories about the case, early speculation was that the girl could have been murdered by a member of her family.[43][46] A criminologist stated that her having been "murdered by a stranger" did not seem likely, according to statistics of similar cases.[14] The fact that no tips from relatives with information about the child had been reported supported the idea that family members were involved with the disposal of the body, and possibly with her death.[70] Investigators feared for other children who may have been in the care of those who disposed of the body, as they could be in danger.[43] A different theory held that the child's family members might also be deceased, having faced a similar demise.[42]

Forensic testing[]

Forensics teams analyzed the DNA of Deer Island Jane to exclude some missing persons and in hopes of matching it to possible relatives of the girl whose DNA was on record.[71][72] It was obtained through samples of hair and a tooth.[29] The DNA did not match the profiles stored in databases of known missing persons.[73] Officials stated that they also sent samples to the University of North Texas to create a more specific profile, a time-consuming process.[74] Mitochondrial DNA from the bones of the child was later developed to compare to possible relatives.[75]

Besides DNA testing, authorities conducted efforts into forensic palynology as well as isotope examination of water found at the scene.[15][76] Results of the testing indicated that the child had spent time in the local, urban area, most likely in Boston, as traces of both pine and soot were found throughout the tests.[29][77] Eventually, she was also determined to have possibly spent time in any of the six New England states and possibly others. The hair and enamel tests also indicated she could have "moved across the country."[78]

Public interaction[]

Because the reconstruction and the story had been so widely publicized, an unexpectedly large amount of public interest in the case developed internationally.[20][79][80] Many people have since shared and viewed reports detailing the case on social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook.[46][61] Several individuals offered to pay for the child's funeral and burial if she could not be identified.[14][81] One funeral home stated that it would donate the means to bury the child under a headstone, so she would not be buried in a pauper's grave.[82] Local businesses in the area began placing posters of the child in their buildings, hoping to create awareness for the case and to generate potential leads.[83] The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority reported plans to donate a bench in memory of the girl.[43] The digital reconstruction had been viewed an estimated 50 million times by the public, which officials have stated was significantly efficient in assisting with the case.[43][84]

Television host John Walsh was interviewed on the subject of the unidentified child and gave contact information for potential tips.

On July 10, CNN News host Anderson Cooper interviewed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's co-founder and former host of America's Most Wanted, John Walsh about the case. Walsh stated, "absolutely someone knows" the identity of the Jane Doe and that in similar cases, often, the "live-in boyfriend" or the mother of the child had abused or neglected one of several children in a family, citing that the victim could have been "accidentally killed or starved to death." When explaining a probable reason why the girl had remained unidentified, Walsh stated, "people do not want to talk to cops," possibly due to the fear of authorities investigating their own lives[29] - for instance, the family of Anjelica Castillo, who were undocumented immigrants and never reported the victim as missing due to fear of deportation.[29] Walsh encouraged viewers to contact him, instead, giving the number for the show he hosts, The Hunt With John Walsh and the URL for his profile on the CNN website.[16] He confirmed that those submitting tips could remain anonymous.[16]

Tips[]

Many leads were followed that appeared to match the circumstances of the case. A woman who had been seen throwing a garbage bag over a bridge was later questioned by police, but the contents of the bag were found to be simply spoiled fruit. Other individuals stated they had seen toddlers resembling the Jane Doe, one at a store and another at a playground, with a woman clothed in a burqa. Investigators were unable to find any trace of the girl at the store through information gathered by security cameras, and the subject at the playground has yet to be located. A man stated he believed he had seen the toddler in November 2014 at a laundromat with a "heavyset" and "dirty blond" woman pushing the child in a stroller.[29]

The local police department reported that they had received many tips suggesting possible identities for the child, those of missing girls throughout the country.[9][35][66][81][85] Many readers online told police that the girl could be Aliayah Lunsford of West Virginia, who had disappeared on September 24, 2011.[86][87] Lunsford would have been six at the time of the discovery and did bear a resemblance to the reconstruction of the Jane Doe, but she was later excluded from the case.[11][36][87] The Massachusetts State Police later released statements on their Facebook pages regarding the exclusions of Lunsford, as well as Ayla Reynolds.[88] Police were made aware of a possible link between the Jane Doe and Katherine Phillips, nicknamed "Baby Kate", who went missing in 2011. Phillips' body has never been recovered, despite the fact that her father has since been charged with her murder and convicted of kidnapping.[89] Authorities expressed their doubts that the body was Katherine Phillips, but said they would investigate the lead.[90] DNA between the pair was eventually compared.[91] Phillips was later ruled out as "Baby Doe" and an announcement to the public was released on July 10.[92]

Investigators set up a 24-hour hotline for those with information on the case to call. A text hotline was also created.[93] Many submitted information about potential matches, later revealed to be missing children in over half of the United States, as well as in European and South and Central American countries.[29][94] A total of 84 billboards, including digital signs donated by Clear Channel, was also placed across the state of Massachusetts, encouraging individuals to report tips to the anonymous hotlines created for the child.[95][96][97]

Identification[]

The child was identified as Bella Neveah Amoroso Bond on September 18, 2015.[8][13] The identification was made after the sister of one of Rachelle Bond's neighbors reported to police a link between Bond and the Jane Doe. Apparently, the neighbor had noticed Bella was absent from the household and had confronted Rachelle Dee Bond and her boyfriend Michael P. McCarthy.[98] They stated that the girl had been "taken away by the Department of Children and Families" (this was later disproved).[6][99] Subsequently, the neighbor told his sister that he believed that "Baby Doe" was Bella Bond, and she contacted authorities.[34] One witness told authorities she grew concerned when she stopped seeing the child at her mother's apartment and when the girl's toys were disposed of.[62] On September 17, 2015, a search warrant was executed at the home of Rachelle Bond, 40, the child's mother, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.[12][100]

Bella's biological father, Joe Amoroso, had allegedly never met his daughter, but had spoken over a telephone with her.[3] Amoroso had stated he had learned of Bella's death when Rachelle told him during a visit, within a week before the identification was made.[101] He states that he believed that Bond would not ever have hurt her daughter.[102] Amoroso elaborated in another interview that he believed Rachelle had been "sedated" with an injection of heroin by her boyfriend quickly after Bella's death, as a "track mark" visible on her neck could not be the result of her own action.[3][101] Unlike her son, Bella's paternal grandmother stated that she believed Rachelle Bond was heavily involved in Bella's death and openly questioned the truthfulness of her allegations toward Michael McCarthy.[103]

Amoroso announced plans to bury Bella in Winthrop, Massachusetts, among family members, stating he had decided to allow the "funeral and wake services to be public."[104] Bella Bond was buried on November 28, 2015, at the Winthrop Cemetery during a private funeral, after her parents later came to a consensus not to have the service open to the public. She was buried under a headstone reading "Bella N. Bond Amoroso" with the date of death listed as the day she was discovered.[1] Images of the toddler from her mother's Facebook page were later released to the public.[105]

Suspects[]

Rachelle Bond, known as a habitual drug user, had two other children who had been removed from her custody.[4][5] She had also been arrested multiple times in the past, for other crimes, including sex work.[34] Police commented that they had dealt with complaints that she was neglecting her daughter and had had four separate encounters with Bond.[4][5] Bella's family was interviewed after the identification was announced. Her aunt stated that she had never suspected that "Baby Doe" was Bella, and the maternal grandmother of the victim was unaware that the child was ever born.[106] The Department of Children and Families had responded to two neglect complaints regarding Bella; both cases were closed.[4][5]

Police released the information that the child was a murder victim and charged Michael McCarthy, the mother's boyfriend, with Bond's death.[2] They also charged her mother with being an accessory to the crime, believing her to have assisted McCarthy with "covering up" Bella's death.[2][5] Larceny was added to Rachelle Bond's charges after she was found to have accepted nearly $1,400 of welfare income after she knew about the death of her daughter.[107][108][109] Bond also continued to receive housing benefits.[110] The pair were arraigned on September 21, 2015.[5][111] Rachelle's bail was set for $1 million; McCarthy was not eligible for bail.[3] McCarthy was scheduled to appear in court again on February 16, 2016, after Rachelle Bond's appearance on January 6.[34][112] A judge later set Rachelle Bond's trial date to December 1, 2016.[108] Selection of jury members for McCarthy's trial started on May 22.[113]

Trials[]

Authorities have acknowledged that since the exact cause of Bella's death remains unknown, asserting that it was homicide to a jury could be "difficult to prove."[114] Rachelle Bond alleged that McCarthy had punched the toddler in the stomach multiple times after claiming Bella was a "demon", and that he was the sole perpetrator of the murder.[4] Prosecutors of McCarthy allege that Bella was murdered in one of many abusive occasions after she had been uncooperative about going to bed.[3] Citing that McCarthy had decided to "calm the child down," they say Rachelle had not entered the room alongside her boyfriend. When she did enter, they say she witnessed him near the girl's body, which was "swollen and gray," indicating she was deceased.[115] Rachelle Bond's attorney claims McCarthy threatened to murder her client if she contacted authorities.[115] She also maintained that Rachelle was not involved with hiding the victim's body, which had initially been placed in garbage bags and concealed in a refrigerator.[116] Bond later admitted to this accusation as part of a future plea deal.[117] A cadaver dog brought to the house later indicated that it smelled something on the refrigerator.[34] Bond contradicted the belief that the body was placed on Deer Island; she stated that McCarthy had placed the body in a weighted duffel bag and disposed of it in the water, suggesting it drifted to the location where it was found.[34][109]

McCarthy claimed Rachelle was responsible for the death.[4][116][118] McCarthy's lawyer objected to claims made by Rachelle Bond's defense and stated that his client had no knowledge of Bella's death, saying no sufficient evidence exists to indicate otherwise.[3][112][115] They have also claimed that he had moved out of Rachelle Bond's residence before Bella's death. McCarthy claimed he had left after witnessing Rachelle's negative treatment of Bella, which included emotional and physical abuse.[119] His defense also cited that Rachelle's statements could not be confirmed and that she was more likely to have killed her daughter because of her drug history. The claim of Bella being beaten to death was also challenged, as the autopsy did not indicate any signs of injuries consistent with what Rachelle described.[120][121] Other claims exist that accuse Rachelle Bond of fabricating the story as a way to avoid being charged with murder.[120] It was announced that McCarthy had sent Rachelle a text message that said "don't tell them you have a daughter. We don't want [the Department of Children and Families] getting involved".[120]

In February 2017, McCarthy's trial was set to take place later in the year. The prosecutor in the case suggested that Rachelle Bond be awarded with "time served" in exchange for a testimony against McCarthy. His decision was made after considering the allegations that Bond had been threatened to be killed if she came forward about Bella's death.[107] Bond pleaded guilty on February 10, 2017, under the suggested plea bargain, and was credited with time served plus two years of probation.[23]

During McCarthy's trial in early June 2017, a "lifelong friend" of McCarthy's took the stand and expressed that he had warned Rachelle Bond of the potential danger she was in after entering a relationship with Bella's alleged killer. He explained that this was due to McCarthy's "dark side", including the fact that he heavily researched topics such as demons and satanic rituals.[98] He also had apparently believed he had the ability to expunge demons from a residence.[117] McCarthy's defense provided text messages and journal entries made by Bond that were written after Bella died. The entries still referred to him affectionately, which his attorneys believe suggest his innocence.[110] Bond continued to claim her actions after the murder were "out of fear;[117] she was also allegedly "tranquilized" with heroin injected by McCarthy after the murder.[3] His defense also claimed that Bond was the individual in the relationship with the "dark" interests.[62]

Although McCarthy had been charged with first-degree murder, the judge allowed the jury to consider lesser charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. On June 26, 2017, the jury returned a guilty verdict of second-degree murder, and two days later, he was sentenced to life imprisonment; he will be eligible for parole in 2037.[122][123]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Bella Bond scheduled to be buried Nov. 28". WCVB 5. Boston, Massachusetts: ABC. 21 November 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Police: Baby Doe Was Murdered". CNN News. CNN. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i McLaughlin, Elliot C. (21 September 2015). "Boyfriend of 'Baby Doe's' mother held without bail; mom's bail set at $1M". CNN. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Curran, Kathy (18 September 2015). "5 Investigates: Mother claims boyfriend punched Bella, causing death". WCVB News. ABC. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Boston's 'Baby Doe' identified; mother and man face charges". CNN News. CNN. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Exclusive: Police Identify Boston's 'Baby Doe' As Bella". The Daily Beast. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Who was 'Baby Doe'? Photos of Bella Bond". WCBV Boston. ABC. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "'Baby Doe' identified as Boston girl, Bella Bond, 5 Investigates reports". AOL. September 18, 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "Investigators vetting tips as search for Baby Doe's identity continues". My Fox Boston. Fox News. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  10. ^ "'Baby Doe' identified as Boston girl". WAOW 9 North Central Wisconsin. 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "NamUs UP # 14004". identifyus.org. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Baby Doe Identified: Police Say Child is 3 Year Old Boston Medical Examiner Report Pending". Inquisitr. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  13. ^ a b c "'Baby Doe' identified as Boston girl, 5 Investigates reports". WCBV 5 News. ABC. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h "Criminologist on girl washed ashore on Deer Island: 'She was probably killed by a family member'". My Fox Boston. Fox News. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d e Gelzinis, Peter (31 July 2015). "Gelzinis: Detective on a relentless hunt for answers in Baby Doe case". Boston Herald. Herald Media.
  16. ^ a b c Cooper, Anderson (10 July 2015). "John Walsh on the 'Baby Doe' mystery". CNN News. CNN. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  17. ^ a b Kaye, Randi (14 July 2015). "Investigators puzzle over clues in "Baby Doe" case". CNN News. CNN. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  18. ^ Allen, Evan (4 July 2015). "Millions view site seeking to ID girl in Deer Island case". Boston Globe. BOSTON GLOBE MEDIA PARTNERS. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  19. ^ a b Conlon, Kevin (4 July 2015). "Boston DA: Toddler who washed ashore 'remains a mystery to us'". CNN News. CNN. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  20. ^ a b c "Millions share story of unidentified 'Baby Doe' found dead in Boston Harbor on social media". New York Daily News. Ezzco News. 8 July 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  21. ^ a b Shapiro, Emily (3 July 2015). "Massachusetts Police Desperate to Identify Young Girl Found Dead in Trash Bag". ABC News. ABC. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  22. ^ Fiandaca, Cheryl; Cooper, Steve; Chen, Nancy; Oliverio, Nicole (18 September 2015). "Mother's boyfriend arrested for killing young girl ID'd as Bella Bond". WHDH News 7. NBC. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  23. ^ a b Allen, Evan (10 February 2017). "Rachelle Bond, mother of Bella Bond, pleads guilty". Boston Globe. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  24. ^ a b c "Authorities Release Description of Toddler Found Dead on Deer Island". MSP News. Massachusetts State Police. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  25. ^ "State Police Looking for Help Identifying Toddler Remains Found at Deer Island". MSP News. Massachusetts State Police. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  26. ^ "Deer Island Visitors Leave Flowers At Site Where Young Girl's Body Found". CBS Boston. CBS. 27 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  27. ^ a b c d "Jane Doe 2015". missingkids.org. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Deer Island girl remains unidentified; authorities ask for help". Universal Hub. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g Allen, Evan; Crimaldi, Laura (8 August 2015). "The hunt for Deer Island's Baby Doe, an innocent lost". The Boston Globe. Globe Media. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  30. ^ "Investigators Release Image Of Girl Found Dead On Deer Island". CBS Boston. CBS. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  31. ^ "Report: Mom, boyfriend kept body of 'Baby Doe' refrigerated before dumping her". Palm Beach Post. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  32. ^ "PHOTOS: "Baby Doe" identified, mother and mother's boyfriend arrested". My Fox Boston. Fox News. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  33. ^ a b "Missing children group talks about creating sketch for Deer Island girl". My Fox Boston. Fox News. 6 July 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  34. ^ a b c d e f Lepore, Jill (1 February 2016). "Baby Doe: A political history of tragedy". The New Yorker. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  35. ^ a b c d Heslam, Jessica (7 July 2015). "Heslam: Somebody has to know identity of little girl found dead on Deer Island". Boston Herald. Herald Media. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  36. ^ a b c d Line, Molly (6 July 2015). "New image of mystery girl found dead in Boston Harbor yields tips, but still no ID". Fox News. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  37. ^ a b c d Cavazini, Katherine (14 July 2015). "Police work new theory in Baby Doe case". Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Remains of young girl found on Deer Island". WCBV News. ABC. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  39. ^ "Body of young girl found on shore at Deer Island". Universal Hub. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  40. ^ "Toddler Remains Found On Deer Island". CBS Boston. CBS. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  41. ^ a b c "Description Released Of Girl Found Dead On Deer Island". CBS Boston. CBS. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  42. ^ a b Hauser, Christine (14 August 2015). "Mystery of 'Baby Doe' Troubles Massachusetts Investigators". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Crimaldi, Laura (2 July 2015). "New details, call for help in ID'ing Deer Island girl". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  44. ^ Lawrence Crook III, Azadeh Ansari and Greg Botelho (12 August 2015). "Experts: 'Baby Doe' perhaps placed on Boston shoreline". CNN News. CNN. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  45. ^ a b "5 Investigates: Toxicology tests show no toxins, chemicals found in Baby Doe". WCVB 5. ABC News. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g Brooks-Pollock, Tom (3 July 2015). "Mystery over death of four-year-old girl found dumped in bag in Massachusetts". The Independent. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  47. ^ a b "'Help Us Speak for This Child': Police Seek Help ID'ing Girl Found Dead in Trash Bag". KTLA 5. CNN Wire. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  48. ^ Kohut, Tania (10 July 2015). "Do you know this girl? Officials desperate for answers after child's body found near Boston". Global News. Shaw Media. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  49. ^ Cavazini, Katherine (9 July 2015). "Toddler's body found on shore: Who is she?". HLN. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  50. ^ "Several girls ruled out as being 'Baby Doe'". WCVB News. ABC. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  51. ^ Johnson, O'Ryan (3 July 2015). "ID is sought for dead girl". Boston Herald. Herald Media. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  52. ^ Fiandaca, Cheryl (7 July 2015). "D.A. updates investigation into girl found dead on Deer Island". WHDH7 News. NBC. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  53. ^ Fiandaca, Cheryl. "Utah lab testing Baby Doe tooth, hair". 7 News WHDH. NBC. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  54. ^ "State Police issue updated image of girl found on Deer Island". My Fox Boston. Fox News. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  55. ^ a b "Police: Unidentified Deer Island girl had pierced ears". 7 News WHDH. NBC. 9 July 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  56. ^ Sanchez, Ray (10 July 2015). "For forensic artist of 'Baby Doe' image, eyes are turning point". CNN News. CNN. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  57. ^ Bock, Linda (2 July 2015). "Authorities Release Computer-Generated Image of Unidentified Toddler Found Dead A Week Ago". Peabody Patch. Patch Network. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  58. ^ Saliba, Emanuelle (9 July 2015). "'Baby Doe' Discovery on Deer Island in Boston Harbor Mystifies Authorities". NBC News. NBC. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  59. ^ Smith, Jim (7 July 2015). "News Forensic Artist Hopes Work Helps Identify Girl Found Dead On Deer Island". CBS Boston. CBS. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  60. ^ "'Help us speak for this child': Sketch released of girl found dead in Boston Harbor". Fox 8 Cleveland. Fox News. CNN Wire. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  61. ^ a b Saliba, Emanuelle (4 July 2015). "Massachusetts Police Seek Help Identifying Girl's Body Found in Boston Harbor". NBC News. NBC. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  62. ^ a b c Buhl, Kendall (31 May 2017). "Friend Of Accused Bella Bond Killer: He Was Into 'A Lot Of Dark Stuff'". CBS Boston. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  63. ^ a b Nguyen, Rosa (6 July 2015). "Police still looking to ID toddler found dead on Deer Island". Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  64. ^ Dowling, Brian (1 August 2015). "'Baby Doe' saga breaking hearts of millions in U.S." Boston Herald. Herald Media. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  65. ^ Burke, Sonya. "Could "Baby Doe" be Sarah Hoggle?". My MC Media. Montgomery Community Media. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  66. ^ a b c "Parents of girl found dead on Deer Island urged to come forward". WCBV 5. CBS. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  67. ^ "Help sought to ID little girl found dead in garbage bag in Massachusetts". CNN. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  68. ^ Cavazini, Katherine (3 July 2015). "Toddler's body found on shore: Who is she?". HLN. Cable News Network. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  69. ^ Donaghue, Erin (7 July 2015). "Officials: Family may know about Mass. "Baby Doe's" death". 48 Crimesider. CBS. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  70. ^ Zalkind, Susan (9 July 2015). "Facebook's 'Baby Doe' Baffles Cops". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  71. ^ Manning, Allison (16 July 2015). "Baby Doe is not alone". Boston.com. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  72. ^ "Police: No Baby Doe DNA match in missing children database". WCVB News. ABC. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  73. ^ "Police: No DNA match for Baby Doe in missing children database". WMUR 9. ABC. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  74. ^ "'Baby Doe' DNA Sent To Lab In Texas For Advanced Testing". CBS Boston. CBS. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  75. ^ "5 Investigates: Inside look at Texas lab trying to identify Baby Doe". WCVB 5. ABC. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  76. ^ "Tests provide new evidence in search for identity of 'Baby Doe'". WCBV 5 News. ABC. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  77. ^ Shapiro, Emily (13 August 2015). "Boston 'Baby Doe' Mystery: Pollen Tests Reveal New Break in the Case". ABC News. ABC. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  78. ^ "'Baby Doe' may have traveled across country during short life, report says". Fox News. FOX News Network, LLC. 2 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  79. ^ Eversley, Melanie (7 July 2015). "Help pours in to identify girl, 'Baby Doe,' found in Mass". USA Today. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  80. ^ "Massachusetts police seek help identifying little girl found dead". My Fox 13 Salt Lake City. Fox News. CNN Wire. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  81. ^ a b "Mass. police work tirelessly to ID girl found dead in plastic bag". WKRN News. Associated Press. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  82. ^ "News Worcester Funeral Director Offers To Handle 'Baby Doe' Burial". CBS Boston. CBS. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  83. ^ "Investigators teaming up with local businesses to find Baby Doe's identity". My Fox Boston. Fox News. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  84. ^ Nguyen, Rosa (7 July 2015). "Remains of girl found on Deer Island still unidentified". Boston Globe. Globe Media. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  85. ^ "Tips pour in after image released of girl found dead in plastic bag in Boston Harbor". Demanjo NewsDesk. Demanjo. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.[permanent dead link]
  86. ^ "Aliayah Lunsford". missingkids.org. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  87. ^ a b "Girl found dead washed ashore in garbage bag; police seek help identifying her". My Fox Boston. Fox News. CNN Wire. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  88. ^ "Tips about Deer Island toddler pour in as millions view photos". boston.com. Boston Globe Media Partners. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  89. ^ Peters, Heather Lynn (9 July 2015). "Link between Baby Doe and Mason County's Baby Kate a 'long shot,' sheriff says". MLive. Advance Digital. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  90. ^ "Could Mystery Girl be "Baby Kate?"". NBC News. NBC. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  91. ^ Sidorowicz, Josh (9 July 2015). "Mason Co. investigators 'looking into' possible connection between Baby Kate, 'Baby Doe' found in Boston". Fox 17 West Michigan. Fox News. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  92. ^ Brenzing, Bob (10 July 2015). "Officials: Boston girl is not Baby Kate". Fox 17 West Michigan. Fox News. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  93. ^ Waterhouse, Gail (15 July 2015). "Anonymous text tipline started for girl found dead on Deer Island". My Fox Boston. Fox News. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  94. ^ "Police receiving international tips in Deer Island 'Baby Doe' case". WCBV 5. CBS. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  95. ^ "Timeline: The 'Baby Doe' investigation from the beginning". My Fox Boston. Boston, Massachusetts: Fox News. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  96. ^ Martinez, Joel (5 August 2015). "Clear Channel works to help identify "Baby Doe"". 22 News WWLP. Media General. LIN Television Corporation. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  97. ^ Kohut, Tania (21 July 2015). "'Did you know me?' Billboards added in effort to ID young girl found dead". Global News. Shaw Media. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  98. ^ a b Demers, Phil (19 May 2017). "Man accused of killing Bella Bond researched satanic rituals, demons before infant's death". MassLive. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  99. ^ Sigona, Michelle (September 18, 2015). "UPDATE, September 18, 2015". Investigation Discovery. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  100. ^ "Boston authorities reportedly identify 'Baby Doe'". Fox News. Fox. 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  101. ^ a b Allen, Evan; Crimaldi, Laura (20 September 2015). "Father of slain toddler tells how he learned of death". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  102. ^ Gunnoe, Brandon (18 September 2015). "Bella Bond's father discusses 'Baby Doe' investigation". WHDH News 7. NBC. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  103. ^ Yearout, Kacie (26 September 2015). "Bella Bond's grandmother calls mother a liar". My Fox Boston. Fox News. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  104. ^ Allen, Evan; Ransom, Jan (23 September 2015). "Bella Bond's father says toddler will be buried in Winthrop". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  105. ^ Sesselman, Jamy Pombo (18 September 2015). "'Life complete because of her,' Bella's mom posts on Facebook". WCBV 5 News. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  106. ^ "Bella's aunt never 'made connection' between 'Baby Doe,' niece". WCBV News. ABC. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  107. ^ a b "Bella Bond's mother reaches plea deal in 2-year-old's death". ABC WCBV 5. American Broadcasting Company. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  108. ^ a b Szaniszlo, Marie (25 February 2016). "Judge sets December trial date for mother of Bella Bond". The Boston Herald. Boston, Massachusetts: Herald Media. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  109. ^ a b Marie, Szaniszlo (18 December 2015). "DA: Bella Bond's mom cashed welfare checks after baby's death". The Boston Herald. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  110. ^ a b Dumcius, Gintautus (5 June 2017). "Bella Bond's mom Rachelle says she lied about daughter's death in order to keep receiving benefits". MassLive. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  111. ^ Zalkind, Susan; Zavadski, Katie (18 September 2015). "Police Arrest Baby Doe's Alleged Killer". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  112. ^ a b "Michael McCarthy held without bail in Bella Bond murder". Metro. Metro International. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  113. ^ "ury selection begins in 'Baby Doe' trial". Fox 25 Boston. Cox Media Group. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  114. ^ "Attorneys say Bella Bond murder case may be difficult to prove". My Fox Boston. Boston, Massachusetts: Fox News. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  115. ^ a b c "Mother's Boyfriend Killed Bella Bond At Bedtime, Prosecutors Say". CBS Boston. Boston, Massachusetts. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  116. ^ a b McLaughlin, Elliot C. (23 September 2015). "Death of Bella Bond: Blame game begins". CNN. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  117. ^ a b c "Rachelle Bond, mother of Bella Bond, testifies in murder trial". 7 News Boston. WHDH-TV. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  118. ^ Farrell, Paul (18 September 2015). "Michael McCarthy & Rachelle Bond: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  119. ^ Erickson, Jenny (21 September 2015). "Horrific Details of 2-Year-Old Bella Bond's Murder Emerge in 'Baby Doe' Case". The Stir. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  120. ^ a b c Manning, Allison (11 January 2016). "Attorney for accused killer of Bella Bond calls case 'extraordinarily weak'". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  121. ^ Dumcius, Gintautas (11 January 2016). "Defense attorney for Michael McCarthy says Rachelle Bond's story of Bella Bond's murder 'unbelievable'". MassLive. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  122. ^ "Bella Bond case: Massachusetts man convicted of 2nd-degree murder in killing of 'Baby Doe'". Fox News. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  123. ^ Levenson, Eric (28 June 2017). "Man gets life for murder of toddler found in trash bag". CNN. Retrieved 28 June 2017.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""