The Boy in the Box
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania · February 25, 1957
For 65 years he was 'America's Unknown Child' in a cardboard box; in December 2022 forensic genetic genealogy finally gave him a name — Joseph Augustus Zarelli — but who killed him is still unknown.
Overview
On February 25, 1957, the naked, beaten body of a young boy was found inside a cardboard box in the woods off Susquehanna Road in the Fox Chase neighborhood of Philadelphia. Authorities believe the cause of death was homicide by blunt force trauma. The child, who came to be known as 'The Boy in the Box' and 'America's Unknown Child,' remained unidentified for more than 65 years. On December 8, 2022, after investigators used genetic testing and investigative genetic genealogy, he was publicly identified as four-year-old Joseph Augustus Zarelli, born January 13, 1953. Despite the identification, no one has been charged and the case remains an active, unsolved homicide investigation.
Where it stands
The case remains an open, unsolved homicide. On November 30, 2022, the Philadelphia Police Department announced it had identified the child through genetic testing and investigative genetic genealogy, and on December 8, 2022, he was publicly named as Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Police continue to search for a suspect, and as of the 2022 announcement authorities offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Police Captain Jason Smith acknowledged the case 'may never be solved,' saying, 'We may not make an arrest. We may never make an identification. But we're going to do our darndest to try.'
Persons of interest
The theories below are reported strictly as attributed to the cited sources. Naming a person here is not an accusation. Individuals are named only where they are deceased, were formally charged, were officially named by authorities, or have been publicly cleared.
- A foster-home operator and his family, examined by investigatorsNot publicly named
A medical examiner's office employee, Remington Bristow, theorized that the boy was the son of the stepdaughter of the man who ran a nearby foster home and that the family disposed of his body so the stepdaughter would not be exposed as an unwed mother; per Wikipedia, 'Police established that all the foster children at the home were accounted for, and a reexamination by investigators confirmed that the family were likely not involved.'[1]
- A woman who came forward in 2002 accusing her own motherNot publicly named
In February 2002 a woman identified only as 'Martha,' or 'M,' claimed her parents purchased a boy and that he was beaten to death and abandoned in a box; per Wikipedia, 'Police were unable to verify her story,' and neighbors dismissed her claims.[1]
Sources
- Murder of Joseph Augustus Zarelli
“On December 8, 2022, the child was publicly identified as four-year-old Joseph Augustus Zarelli.”
- Philly's 'Boy in the Box' Name Revealed: Joseph Augustus Zarelli
“We may not make an arrest. We may never make an identification. But we're going to do our darndest to try.”
- Boy in the Box Joseph Augustus Zarelli: Name, identification, more on Philadelphia case
“Now, with the boy's identity revealed, there is a small amount of closure in the case. But it still remains an active homicide investigation.”
- "Boy in the Box" murder victim found in 1957 identified by Philadelphia police as Joseph Augustus Zarelli
“An active homicide investigation is still underway as authorities continue to search for a suspect.”