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Boy in the Box
A young boy was found beaten to death, wrapped in a blanket inside a cardboard box. Despite decades of investigation and national attention, no one came forward. In 2022, DNA finally revealed his name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli. But his killer remains unknown.
February 25, 1957
Philadelphia, USA
0 America’s Unknown Child had a name all along.
The Discovery
February 25, 1957:
- Fox Chase, Philadelphia
- Cardboard box
- J.C. Penney bassinet box
- Dead child inside
- Severe injuries
The Child
What was known:
- 4-6 years old
- Blonde hair (recently cut)
- Blue eyes
- Malnourished
- Multiple bruises
The Investigation
Massive effort:
- Nationwide publicity
- 400,000 flyers distributed
- Thousands of tips
- No identification
- Decades of failure
The Break
2022 revelation:
- DNA genealogy
- Joseph Augustus Zarelli
- Born March 13, 1953
- Philadelphia family
- Finally named
The Family
What emerged:
- Parents identified
- Both deceased
- Siblings exist
- Still investigating
- Killer unknown
The Memorial
“America’s Unknown Child”:
- Buried with that name
- Grave visited by many
- Symbol of unidentified
- Now has real name
- Case continues