Man charged with killing toddler pleads not guilty to first-degree murder

A man charged with killing a 2-year-old girl who was dubbed "Baby Doe" after her body washed up on a Boston Harbor island pleaded not guilty Monday to first-degree murder.

Michael McCarthy was held without bail at his arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court in the death of his girlfriend's daughter, Bella Bond.

The girl was known for months as Baby Doe after her body was found in a trash bag by a dog walker in June and detectives searched for her identity.

Her mother, Rachelle Bond, is accused of helping McCarthy conceal Bella's body. She has pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact to murder and collecting welfare benefits after the child's death.

Bond's lawyer says that she denies helping McCarthy in any way and that he had psychological control over her.

McCarthy's lawyer laid blame for the girl's death on the mother.

"The Commonwealth's case against Mr. McCarthy is incredibly weak," Jonathan Shapiro said Monday. "There's no forensic evidence and no DNA evidence."

Rachelle Bond's statement to police that she saw McCarthy hitting the toddler in the abdomen is self-serving, Shapiro said.

McCarthy's next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 16.