The Boy in the Box: The Tragic Story of Joseph Augustus Zarelli
In the annals of American criminal history, few cases have captivated and haunted the public as deeply as that of the “Boy in the Box.” For more than six decades, the identity of a young, brutally murdered child discovered in a cardboard box in Philadelphia remained unknown. It wasn’t until 2022 that modern forensic science and genetic genealogy revealed his name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli.
Born on January 13, 1953, Joseph Zarelli was only four years old at the time of his tragic death in February 1957. His naked, malnourished body was found wrapped in a plaid blanket and placed inside a cardboard box that had once held a bassinet from J.C. Penney. Discovered off Susquehanna Road in the Fox Chase neighborhood, his small frame bore horrifying signs of abuse: he was severely underweight, covered in bruises and scars—including surgical scars—and had sustained blunt force trauma believed to have caused his death. His hair had been recently cut, and he appeared freshly groomed.
The initial discovery came from a young man checking his rabbit traps, who, fearing police interference, did not report it. A few days later, a college student investigating the area after spotting a rabbit found the body and notified police.
Investigators at the time held out hope that someone would recognize the boy. His fingerprints were taken, and the Philadelphia Inquirer printed 400,000 flyers with his likeness, even including them in utility bills. The case quickly gained media attention and was dubbed “America’s Unknown Child.” Police cadets scoured the crime scene repeatedly, discovering a few personal items—a corduroy cap, scarf, and handkerchief with a “G”—but none yielded leads.
The mystery became one of the country’s most infamous cold cases. In 1998, Joseph’s remains were exhumed to extract DNA, and a partial profile was obtained from a tooth. This would later prove critical. A second exhumation in 2019 provided additional DNA, and in October 2021, genealogists used the information to build family trees. Eventually, a match was found: a cousin had uploaded DNA to a public database, which led investigators to a first cousin who willingly submitted her own DNA. This enabled authorities to identify Joseph Zarelli. The announcement came on November 30, 2022, and the public reveal on December 8, 2022.
Joseph was the child of a prominent but unmarried couple in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. His birth certificate, obtained via court order, revealed his parents’ names and confirmed the match through additional DNA tests. Despite the identification, authorities remain tight-lipped about the individuals involved, as the homicide investigation remains open.
Over the years, numerous theories circulated. One of the most persistent involved a foster home located about a mile from where Joseph was found. In 1960, medical examiner employee Remington Bristow brought a psychic to the crime scene. She led him directly to the foster home, and Bristow, attending an estate sale there, found a bassinet like the one that came in the box Joseph was found in, and blankets that resembled the one wrapped around his body. He theorized that the child was the illegitimate offspring of the foster father’s stepdaughter. However, police later ruled out the family after thorough investigations and interviews.
Another popular theory pointed to the possibility that Joseph was raised in isolation, potentially hidden to avoid public scrutiny, which could explain why no one came forward to report him missing. Given the visible signs of medical treatment and grooming, some have speculated that his guardians tried to maintain his appearance to conceal abuse or neglect.
The reawakening of Joseph’s story through the use of forensic genealogy is a milestone in investigative science. It represents one of the first major cold cases solved using this modern technique, echoing breakthroughs in cases like the Golden State Killer. Joseph’s identification brought a measure of resolution, but justice has yet to be served.
The legacy of “America’s Unknown Child” lives on. His gravestone, originally marked only with that phrase, has now been updated with his name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli. The tragic story continues to inspire investigators and advocates for child protection.
More than just a cold case, Joseph Zarelli’s story is a somber reminder of how many children fall through the cracks, unseen and unheard. His rediscovered identity has given him a voice at last, but his killer—or those responsible for his suffering—have yet to face justice. The Philadelphia Police Department remains committed to solving this case and asks anyone with information to come forward.
Joseph’s story may have remained hidden in a box for decades, but thanks to science, persistence, and a refusal to forget, the world now knows his name. And that—after so many years in silence—is a powerful start.
