Second Autopsy Agreed To In Bella Bond Case

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — A mother and her boyfriend charged in the death of a 2-year-old girl who became known as Baby Doe appeared briefly in court Tuesday morning.

Rachelle Bond and her boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, were charged last month in connection with the death of Bond's daughter, Bella.

Both were back in Dorchester District Court for a hearing in the case.

The prosecution agreed to a second, defense-conducted autopsy on the girl's body. The defense claims the first autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner's office did not determine a cause of death.

Bond hid from court cameras and wiped away tears during the proceeding.  She remains held on $1 million bail.

McCarthy was clean shaven and had his hair cut shorter than his court appearance in September.  He is still being held without bail.

"He thinks it's a great tragedy but he's not responsible," McCarthy's attorney said during the hearing.

Both are due back in court November 19 for a probable cause hearing.

Bella Bond's body was found on Deer Island in June. State Police launched a massive investigation to find out who she was and how she died. They finally got a tip three months later after Bond told a friend that McCarthy had killed Bella.

McCarthy's lawyer has said he knew nothing about Bella's death.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's  Kim Tunnicliffe reports

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