Bella Bond's Biological Father Says He Never Met His Daughter
WINTHROP (CBS) -- Joe Amoroso, Bella Bond's biological father, says he never met his young daughter while she was still alive.
On Saturday afternoon, Amoroso paid his respects to his 2-year-old daughter, previously known as "Baby Doe" around New England, who was found dead inside a trash bag on Deer Island in Winthrop in June. He placed pictures at the memorial, sat on the rocks nearby with his bible in hand, and stared out at the Boston skyline and prayed.
Related: Mother's Boyfriend Allegedly Punched Bella Bond, Reports Say
Bella's mother, Rachelle Bond, and her boyfriend Michael McCarthy have been charged in connection with the girl's death. Prosecutors say McCarthy murdered the toddler and the girl's mother helped cover up the crime.
Read: DCF Had Involvement With Bond Family
He told the Boston Globe he was sickened by what he found out and that he and the girl's mother discussed whether they should go to police or FBI. He also told the newspaper Rachelle sent a text to someone about Bella's death and that person contacted police. However, the Globe could not confirm that claim.
Amoroso told WBZ he is heartbroken over his baby's murder.
"(I'm) devastated," he told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe. "It's very, very painful."
Amoroso told the Globe he and Rachelle were homeless when they met, and Bella was conceived in a tent during the Occupy Boston movement.
Bella's father has been in Florida and returned to Massachusetts in August.
"I can tell you this one thing: I never met her in person," he said. "I was about to and I was so close. I was trying to get back here to actually get custody of her and raise her, and showed up a couple months too late."
He told the Globe that both he and his mother called complaints of neglect into DCF.
Related: DCF Had Previous Involvement With Family Of 'Baby Doe'
Amoroso says he doesn't believe Bella's mother would have done anything to hurt her. As far as McCarthy is concerned, Amoroso said "I'd like to see him rot and burn in hell, but I'd like justice to be served for him definitely."
Meanwhile, visitors to Deer Island paid their respects to the girl. "God bless Bella" was spelled out in stones at the beach.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports