Prosecutor: Slain child’s life marked by abuse

Associated Press

BOSTON

In her short, tumultuous life, Bella Bond loved cats, dancing to country music and the color green.

Those were but brief flashes of happiness in a life marked by neglect, abuse and a horrible ending, according to descriptions given by a prosecutor in court Monday, as Bella’s mother and her boyfriend were arraigned on charges in connection with her death.

Michael McCarthy, 25, is charged with killing 2-year-old Bella, who was known for nearly three months as Baby Doe as investigators worked to learn her identity. The girl’s mother, Rachelle Bond, 40, is charged with being an accessory after her daughter’s killing. Both are charged with unlawful disposal of human remains.

A judge ordered McCarthy held without bail and Bond held on $1 million cash bail. They are due back in court Oct. 20 for a status hearing.

In court, prosecutor David Deakin described a chaotic home life in which Bond and McCarthy often yelled at Bella and demeaned her, according to a man who lived with the couple this year. Michael Sprinsky told police he twice saw Bond and McCarthy lock Bella in a closet for 30 minutes to an hour “while she screamed to be let out,” Deakin said.

Both told Sprinsky they believed Bella was possessed by demons.

Investigators launched a massive search for information about the girl after a woman walking her dog in June found her body inside a bag on Deer Island. A composite image of the girl was widely shared on Facebook and reached 47 million people within two weeks.