The annual memorial tribute for Joseph Augustus Zarelli (formerly known as America’s Unknown Child) took place Saturday morning at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 1201 Easton Road.
The memorial tribute is held each year on the anniversary of the day Joseph’s abandoned, lifeless body was found in 1957. The tribute had previously been held on Susquehanna Road, at the marker near where his body was found. Organizers believe it is more fitting for the tribute to be held at Joseph’s resting place at the gravesite that finally bears his name.
The then-unknown victim was originally known as The Boy in the Box. His remains had been in an obscure grave in Parkwood’s trash-covered Potter’s Field. In 1998, his body was exhumed in a search for forensic evidence. After that, the Vidocq Society, which tracks unsolved murders, moved his remains to Ivy Hill.
Today, more than two months after Joseph was identified, a new grave marker at Ivy Hill bears his name and image and a headstone dedicated in 1998 now includes Joseph’s name and date of birth, both courtesy of Ivy Hill and DeChristopher Brothers – Monuments & Memorials.
Joseph’s body was dumped on then-rural Susquehanna Road, a little west of Verree Road, in Fox Chase in 1957. He was found in a bassinet box from the JC Penney at 69th and Chestnut streets in Upper Darby, having been killed by blunt force trauma.
Elmer Palmer was the first police officer on the scene after the body was discovered. His son, Jim, attended Saturday’s tribute, held inside the heated cemetery chapel due to the cold weather. Also on hand was Bob Kuhlmeier, one of the many police investigators over the years who worked to identify Joseph.
As no one reported Joseph missing or claimed him after he was found, he was buried in Potter’s Field at 12898 Dunks Ferry Road.
Thanks to work by detectives, modern forensics, the Medical Examiner’s office and Identifinders International, police in December announced his identity and birth date of Jan. 13, 1953. He was 4 when he died and lived near 61st and Market streets.
Joseph’s parents have passed away, but he has living siblings.
Today on the 700 block of Susquehanna Road, a private historical marker stands in memory of Joseph.
Vidocq’s William Fleisher on Saturday said he does not believe Joseph’s parents, Gus and Betsy, were responsible for his death. He believes police will determine who is responsible, adding they already might have a good idea.
“May the good Lord bless the soul of Joseph Augustus Zarelli,” Fleisher said at the tribute.
Fleisher thanked Ivy Hill’s Dave Drysdale for donating a prominent plot, just inside the cemetery entrance, so Joseph is never forgotten.
The cemetery site includes a bench, American flags, flowers, angel statues, coins, toy trucks and cars, a baseball and a Sleep in Heavenly Peace book. ••
