Deer Island Bench Dedicated In Baby Doe's Name
WINTHROP (CBS) – A bench was dedicated Friday afternoon in the name of Baby Doe, the toddler found dead on Deer Island in June who has now been identified as a girl from Boston.
Read: 'Baby Doe,' Child Found Dead On Deer Island, Identified
The bench dedication was already scheduled for Friday when news broke that investigators identified the toddler as a girl named Bella.
Sourced told WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk that Bella is the daughter of Rachelle Bond, who lives in Mattapan.
Friday on Deer Island, people walking in the area where the bench is being dedicated said the girl has remained in their thoughts ever since she was found in June.
"It really broke my heart when I heard about this, this life that got taken away before it even got a chance to live," one woman told WBZ-TV's Ken MacLeod.
Balloons were attached to the bench and flowers were placed in the area as well.
Baby Doe memorial bench on Deer Island will be re-inscribed with name Bella. pic.twitter.com/j83irEGmuS
— Ken MacLeod (@KenMacWBZ) September 18, 2015
Several vigils have been held on Deer Island in the months since a woman walking her dog found the young girl's body.
"Every time I just walked by it I said a prayer and just said 'God bless her, I hope you're happy up in heaven,'" a woman walking on Deer Island said.
Investigators are expected to provide more information on the case late Friday afternoon.