Rachelle Bond to live in rehab facility after release Friday

BOSTON — The mother of a 2-year-old girl who became known as Baby Doe after her remains washed up on a Boston Harbor island was sentenced Wednesday for helping her former boyfriend dispose of her daughter's body.

Last month, Bond's ex-boyfriend, Michael McCarthy, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the 2015 killing of Bella Bond.

A computer-generated image of the girl was widely shared on social media as authorities worked to identify her.

As part of a plea deal, Rachelle Bond pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and then testified against McCarthy at his trial.

In court Wednesday, Her lawyer, Janice Basil, asked for her release be on Friday, when a bed in an extended rehabilitation facility opens up. The judge agreed.

Basil, the judge and the assistant district attorney agreed to the conditions of her release and two years probation, which included:

- To undergo a psychiatric evaluation and follow what comes from it

- Avoid alcohol and drugs for two years, undergoing random testing

-Do not live with anybody using illegal drugs

- Pay the court fees through community service

Bond has served less than two years in at the South Bay jail.

Following the clerk imposing the sentencing, the case of "Baby Doe" concluded, just more than two years since her body was found.

"This was one of the most traffic cases I've work on during my career as the district attorney," said Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley.

DA CONLEY DEFENDS THE PLEA DEAL

There has been backlash due to the plea deal the District Attorney's office cut with Basil and Bond.

"I have been approached by citizens in Suffolk County in the last several months," said Conley.

He, once again, defended the deal and said they did a thorough investigation that proved Bond did not commit the murder.

Furthermore, he said, McCarthy would not have been prosecuted without Bond.

"It would have been insufficient to even get to a jury," he said.

He said the people in his office believe Bond and her sincerity; he said she was truthful on the stand.

"It is justice. She served nearly two years for her role in this matter...she has to bare the burden that she had a role in the aftermath in the murder of her own child," said Conley.

He later said, "justice is elusive."

WHAT'S NEXT FOR RACHELLE BOND

"She has me. That's mostly what her support system has been. She doesn't have family. She really doesn't have friends," says Basil, Bond's attorney.

Basil said Bond will spend an extended period of time in the rehab facility. She noted that she has no job, health insurance and very few belongings.

Of the items Bond does have, which were held in a storage unit after her arrest, Basil found a shiny brand new pair of Bella's pink boots.

"I have those in my office," she said.

Basil said Bond is relieved the trial is over and McCarthy was convicted.

"She was relieved people believed her," said Basil.

Bond wants to stay clean, said Basil, and she thinks she can and find a new support system in society. She did note that it will be hard, but that Bond is determined.

Bond will be free from the South Bay Jail Friday.

Cox Media Group