The Vidocq Society on Saturday held its annual memorial tribute and birthday remembrance for Joseph Augustus Zarelli, known as “The Boy in the Box” and “America’s Unknown Child” until he was identified in December 2022.
The gathering, at his gravesite at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 1201 Easton Road, took place on what would have been Joseph’s 71st birthday. He was born on Jan. 13, 1953.
Joseph’s abandoned, lifeless body was found in 1957 on the 700 block of Susquehanna Road (just west of Verree Road) in Fox Chase, a rural area at the time. 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.
As no one reported Joseph missing or claimed him after he was found, he was buried in trash-filled Potter’s Field at 12898 Dunks Ferry Road in Parkwood.
The investigation into his untimely death never ended, and people never forgot the boy.
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.
In 2017, a private historical marker was erected on Susquehanna in memory of Joseph.
Thanks to work by detectives, modern forensics, the Medical Examiner’s office and Identifinders International, police in December 2022 announced his identity and birth date. He was 4 when he died and lived near 61st and Market streets.
Joseph’s parents have passed away, but he has living siblings. The investigation into his death continues. The case remains actively pursued by the Philadelphia Police Department.
On Saturday, Vidocq chaplain John Mullineaux delivered a prayer and blessing.
Also on hand were retired homicide unit Sgt. Bob Kuhlmeier, one of the many police investigators over the years who worked to identify Joseph, and current homicide unit Detectives Robert Hesser and Mike Venson.
Kuhlmeier spoke of the teamwork and dedication it took among many people to identify Joseph.
“It’s one of those special cases,” he said. “To have a positive outcome is what we strive for.”
Vidocq’s Bill Fleisher said, “Happy birthday, Joey. God bless you. You will never be forgotten.” ••
