Police ID Girl Found Dead in Boston, Arrest Mother

After months of exhaustive investigating, officials have finally identified “Baby Doe,” the little girl found dead on a Deer Island Beach in June, as Bella Bond. Her mother, Rachelle Bond, has been placed under arrest, reports indicate.

According to a WCVB report, a search warrant was executed at an apartment on Maxwell Street in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood on Thursday. Following the search, Bella’s mother and her boyfriend were both questioned in connection to the child’s death.

Authorities placed Rachelle under arrest on Friday. Her boyfriend also remains in custody at this time.

Relatives told the station that the girl in question was indeed Bella. Neighbors say Bella has not been seen for many months. One person familiar with Rachelle said she “tried to be responsible” and was “on drugs.” No word has been released regarding the charges against Bond.

Officials have not confirmed the child’s identity, pending a positive identification by the State Medical Examiner.

A woman walking her dog along the beach found Bella’s remains in a trash bag on June 25.

Investigators poured through hundreds of leads over the several months which followed the discovery of the toddler. Pollen analysis linked Bella to the Boston area and scientific testing found she had consumed drinking water in New England.

60 million people across the world viewed a computer-generated image of the child. It was placed on 84 billboards across the state of Massachusetts in an effort to solve the case.

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