Episode 7: Baby Doe of Deer Island
On a cloudy morning in June of 2015, a woman was walking her dog along the shore of Deer Island, Massachusetts, which is located near the state’s popular airport. Suddenly, her dog becomes extra fascinated with a trash bag on the rocky shoreline. The dog is circling the black, double-knotted bag, barking at it and not leaving it alone. Out of curiosity, the woman uses a seashell to cut a small opening in the bag, only to discover something horrifying- the decomposing body of a little girl.
Police are alerted to this tragic crime, and immediately reach out to the public for answers…who is this little girl? And more importantly- who would do such an awful thing?
After authorities give countless press conferences, news reports, and details about the features of the victim, now referred to as Baby Doe of Deer Island, a digitally rendered recreation is made. This very realistic and haunting image of what Baby Doe could have looked like is plastered all over the state of Massachusetts and beyond. 85 billboards stand throughout the state, begging anyone who knows anything to help give Baby Doe her name back.
It was almost three whole months before a tip came in, leading to the ultimate discovery of Baby Doe’s identity. Two and a half year old Bella Bond died at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, who punched her in the abdomen so hard that her death was imminent. With the help of her mother, Rachelle Bond, McCarthy disposed of Bella, and subsequently they went on a several-month-long heroin binge to drown the guilt and the sorrow of the crime. Thanks to a tip from McCarthy’s neighbor and childhood best friend, Michael Sprinsky, Bella was identified and justice was brought to her name.
Image sources:
cnn.com -“Bella Bond trial gives disturbing glimpse into herion addiction”
CBS Boston -“Mother’s Boyfriend Allegedly Punched Bella Bond, Report says”