5 Chilling Facts About Joseph Augustus Zarelli: The Latest Updates On The 'Boy In The Box' Case

Decades of haunting silence were finally broken when the identity of the boy found dead in a cardboard box in 1957 was revealed. Known for 65 years only as "America's Unknown Child" or the "Boy in the Box," the victim was identified in late 2022 as four-year-old Joseph Augustus Zarelli. This breakthrough, driven by advancements in forensic genealogy, gave a name to one of Philadelphia’s most persistent and tragic cold cases, but it did not close the book on the murder.

As of December 2025, the investigation remains an open homicide case. While the identity is known, the crucial question—who murdered Joseph Augustus Zarelli—continues to hang over the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD). The trail has reportedly gone cold, with investigators now relying on a single, crucial tip and the hope of new DNA analysis to finally bring a killer to justice.

Joseph Augustus Zarelli: A Brief Biography of America's Unknown Child

The identification of the boy was a monumental achievement for investigators and a moment of profound sadness for the public, finally giving the victim a name and a history.

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• Full Name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli.
• Date of Birth: January 13, 1953.
• Date of Death: February 1957 (Estimated).
• Age at Death: Four years old.
• Residence: He lived in West Philadelphia, near 61st and Market streets.
• Biological Parents: Joseph's biological parents have been identified by police, but their names were not immediately released to the public, except for his mother, later reported as Mary "Betsy" Abel. Both parents are now deceased.
• Siblings: Police confirmed that Joseph Augustus Zarelli has living siblings, both on his maternal and paternal sides.

The Horrific Discovery and the 65-Year Mystery

The case of the "Boy in the Box" began on February 25, 1957, in the Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadelphia. The circumstances of the discovery are what cemented the case's place in American true crime lore.

Found on Susquehanna Road

Joseph's severely beaten, nude body was found wrapped in a blanket inside a discarded cardboard box. The box, which originally held a JC Penney bassinet, was abandoned in a wooded area off Susquehanna Road.

The child's body showed clear signs of extreme physical abuse. He was malnourished and covered in bruises. Investigators noted multiple scars, including three distinctive surgical scars. His hair also appeared to have been recently and crudely cut.

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Early Investigation and Public Outcry

Despite an intense investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department and an enormous public effort, including the distribution of thousands of flyers, the boy remained nameless for over six decades. The public was deeply moved by the tragedy, leading to the nickname "America's Unknown Child."

The police were unable to find any matching missing person reports, which was a significant early hurdle. The boy was buried in a pauper's grave, but the case was never closed, becoming a symbol of unsolved crimes and a testament to the dedication of cold case detectives.

Forensic Genealogy: The Breakthrough That Named the Boy

The resolution of the boy's identity in 2022 was not due to a deathbed confession or a sudden tip, but a painstaking, decades-long commitment to leveraging modern science, specifically forensic genetic genealogy.

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The DNA Journey

In 2019, investigators exhumed the boy's body for the third time to extract a fresh DNA sample. This sample was then submitted to law enforcement databases and, crucially, to public genealogy databases.

By comparing the boy’s DNA to the genetic profiles of people who had voluntarily submitted their information, investigators were able to build a family tree. This process, known as forensic genealogy, allowed them to trace the boy's lineage back to his immediate relatives.

The process was complex, requiring hundreds of hours of work, but it eventually led them to the family of Joseph Augustus Zarelli, confirming his identity in December 2022. The ability to identify the biological mother, Mary "Betsy" Abel, and father, both of whom are now deceased, was a critical step.

The Cold Trail: The Hunt for Joseph Zarelli's Killer Continues

While the identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli provided immense closure, the focus immediately shifted to the open homicide investigation. The goal is no longer to name the victim, but to name the person responsible for his death by blunt force trauma and severe neglect.

A Stalled Investigation in 2025

As of the latest reports, the investigation into Joseph Zarelli's killer has unfortunately gone cold. Authorities have publicly stated that the identification of Joseph did not immediately open the floodgates of information they had hoped for.

A key update is that only a single, credible tip has been reported since the 2022 press conference that revealed his name. This lack of new information is a significant challenge for the Philadelphia Police Department's homicide unit.

Awaiting DNA Results

The most active line of inquiry involves further DNA analysis. Investigators have submitted additional DNA samples for testing, hoping to extract a profile of the killer from the evidence found in the box, on the blanket, or on Joseph's body.

The results of this advanced DNA profiling are still pending. If a full DNA profile can be obtained, it could potentially be matched against law enforcement databases or used in another round of forensic genealogy to identify a living or deceased suspect.

The Legacy of America's Unknown Child

The case of Joseph Augustus Zarelli is a powerful reminder of the dedication of cold case detectives and the revolutionary impact of forensic technology. His story remains a poignant symbol of a child who was forgotten by his abusers but never forgotten by the city of Philadelphia.

The annual tribute held for the "Boy in the Box" continues to draw attention to the case, ensuring that the pressure remains on authorities to find a final resolution. Until the killer is identified and the full story of Joseph's final, tragic months is revealed, the investigation will remain active, fueled by the hope that the pending DNA results will finally provide the missing piece of the puzzle.