Joseph Augustus Zarelli
American formerly unidentified murder victim (1953 - 1957) · United States · Died at 4
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Something wrong?Joseph Augustus Zarelli, previously known as the "Boy in the Box", the "Boy in a Box" or "America's Unknown Child", was an American four-year-old male whose nude, malnourished and beaten body was found on the side of Susquehanna Road, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1957.
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Photos 7
The crime scene where Zarelli was found
Posters showing Zarelli's postmortem photos that were distributed during the initial investigation
Zarelli's torso, showing signs of severe malnutrition, starvation and scarring
Zarelli's legs showing signs of severe bruising, malnutrition and scarring
Forensic facial reconstruction by Carl Koppelman showing what Zarelli may have looked like when he was alive
Memorial sign near the location where the body was found on the side of Susquehanna Road. The sign was erected five years before Zarelli's identification.
Zarelli's grave at Ivy Hill Cemetery in August 2022About this person
Joseph Augustus Zarelli, previously known as the "Boy in the Box", the "Boy in a Box" or "America's Unknown Child", was an American four-year-old male whose nude, malnourished and beaten body was found on the side of Susquehanna Road, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1957. Zarelli appeared to have been cleaned and freshly groomed, with a recent haircut and trimmed fingernails, although he had suffered extensive physical attacks prior to his death, with multiple bruises on his body. He was also severely malnourished. His body was covered with scars, some of which were surgical. Authorities believe that the cause of death was homicide by blunt force trauma.
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