News

Mother of Baby Bella pleads not guilty to charge in child's death

BOSTON — The mother of Bella Bond pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges related to her daughter's death.

"She was being controlled by Mr. McCarthy. She really loved her daughter and every witness we have spoken to has said she was a good mother so this is extremely difficult for her," said Rachelle Bond's attorney, attorney, Janice Bassil.

Rachelle Bond is not only charged with helping her boyfriend dispose of her 2-year-old's body, she's also accused of accepting public assistance money she was getting on behalf of Bella for months after the murder.

"At the time, according to the defendant, Mr McCarthy threatened her life if she said anything about what happened," said her attorney, Janice Bassil.

Prosecutors also provided more details about what happened after Bond's boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, killed her daughter, Bella, formerly known as Baby Doe.

The body of Bella Bond washed up on a deer island beach in June.  Police believe Bond's boyfriend at the time, Michael McCarthy, killed the child by punching her in the chest and stomach area.  Investigators say both Bond and McCarthy then conspired to dump her body in Boston Harbor.

New details outlined in court indicate that "the pair drove in McCarthy's car to his father's plumbing business in Quincy where McCarthy recovered weights from the basement."

Bond's attorney said McCarthy kept Bond binging on heroin to keep her quiet about the murder. However, the assistant district attorney said that their investigation indicated that wasn't true.

"The defendant regularly went out and about by herself on her business. Texts messages between the couple indicate they continued to have a domestic relationship if not an intimate one," said the assistant district attorney in court Wednesday.

As for the charge of accepting benefits, the district attorney said the Bond continued to collect benefits and spend them, even though the money was intended for Bella.

Michael McCarthy who is charged with Bella's murder will be in superior court on Monday.