Sources told NBC10 the most recent DNA sample finally led investigators to the child's identity. The sources say the DNA traced the child to a prominent family in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

 

 

I'm not sure if people outside of Philly know about this, but it's always been talked about in NE Philly and was national news back when it happened 

Never heard of this but thread title made me think of: 

 

33 minutes ago, iladelphxx said:

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure if people outside of Philly know about this, but it's always been talked about in NE Philly and was national news back when it happened 

Holy crap, I check in on this story at least once a year to see if there were any updates. Really sad story. I'm glad they have identified him. Thanks for the info.

Next week...What, are they trying to drum up ratings with a suspenseful cliffhanger? 

3 minutes ago, Lloyd said:

Next week...What, are they trying to drum up ratings with a suspenseful cliffhanger? 

Yeah, I thought that was really strange too. Haven't we waited long enough?

2 hours ago, Lloyd said:

Next week...What, are they trying to drum up ratings with a suspenseful cliffhanger? 

It's still an active murder investigation. 

Incredible. Finally, DNA has given us an answer. 

Now they can ask the family questions about what happened. 

14 hours ago, Lloyd said:

Next week...What, are they trying to drum up ratings with a suspenseful cliffhanger? 

seriously...since when does the po-po care about ratings week?    

1 hour ago, mr_hunt said:

seriously...since when does the po-po care about ratings week?    

They didn't leak it.... Someone from the outside organization they were working with did. 

16 hours ago, iladelphxx said:

I'm not sure if people outside of Philly know about this, but it's always been talked about in NE Philly and was national news back when it happened

I have no idea if this is related to this true story or not, but it brings to mind an episode of the TV show "Cold Case" named 'The Boy in the Box'. The show was set in Philly, so I'm assuming that it's at least inspired by the real story. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0543954/

 

Joseph Augustus Zarelli: Philadelphia police identify body of 'Boy in the Box' - 6abc Philadelphia

On 12/1/2022 at 1:30 PM, VaBeach_Eagle said:

I have no idea if this is related to this true story or not, but it brings to mind an episode of the TV show "Cold Case" named 'The Boy in the Box'. The show was set in Philly, so I'm assuming that it's at least inspired by the real story. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0543954/

 

as far as i know it was based off of the real case. 

I’m fascinated by this case. This poor child and what he suffered. I thought for sure he had to be from out of the area for no one to come forward in identifying him when his body was discovered. Years ago a woman named Martha Emily Davis told investigators that her parents committed this crime. Actually she told her psychiatrist and apparently after years of discussing this he went to police and police came and questioned her. She did not want to recount it and while cooperative, she didn’t give them as much information as probably needed to solve this crime. It’s also been reported that she suffered from mental illness so the validity of her claims have been questioned - although she had a PhD and worked for years in the pharmaceutical industry which would suggest she wasn’t a paranoid schizophrenic or something of the nature of extreme mental illness that causes delusions. Additionally her hesitation to be forthcoming with information suggests it was not a hoax or attempt at seeking fame. Her claim is that Joseph was sold to her parents and that they kept him in the basement and abused him - physically and sexually. She claimed she was sexually abused as well. She stated that one night after eating beans Joseph vomited. In a rage, her mother beat him, then clipped his hair and nails and bathed him and he died in the bath tub. Interestingly, he was found with beans in his stomach, and was freshly groomed and fingers were pruned like when left in the water. Some of these details were not known to the public. She also claims that Joseph was developmentally disabled - which may be why his parents "sold” him. 

During the press conference investigators mentioned Joseph’s birth parents and that he has living siblings on both sides. That would suggest that perhaps he was placed for adoption, in foster care or even sold as Martha had claimed - unless they were just using technical language to describe his parents. And that they were no longer together if Joseph has siblings on "both sides”. The family is easy to find through social media and the 1950 census records particularly as they stated Joseph was from West Philadelphia and his middle name appears to be a family name. His alleged birth father is now deceased and the woman he was married to for 55 years is as well. It’s not known if that wife was Joseph’s birth mother because they were married in 1959 but Joseph was born in 1953. If these are the right people, Joseph may have been born out of wedlock which was often problematic in the 50’s - could also further support he was placed for adoption. Or perhaps Joseph remained with his birth mother and maybe a step father figure entered the situation and was resentful and abusive to the child. 
 

It is such a strange case with no one ever reporting a missing child - even if his parents did this, was there no aunt, uncle, neighbor, etc that realized he was missing? Or could identify him through the photos released. It breaks my heart what this little boy suffered. I hope the truth is discovered even if the perpetrators are now deceased. Rest in peace little angel. 
 

 

On 11/30/2022 at 9:34 PM, Paul852 said:

Yeah, I thought that was really strange too. Haven't we waited long enough?

I think they probably wanted to notify his living relatives first and give them the chance to lock down their social media accounts and warn them that a sheet show was headed their way. 

13 hours ago, binkybink77 said:

I think they probably wanted to notify his living relatives first and give them the chance to lock down their social media accounts and warn them that a sheet show was headed their way. 

Ugh. Another reason to detest social media. The folks who are in some way related to this poor boy have to disconnect and go without. The people communicating on social media are so fake. It's not real life.

I remember growing up with stories of the unknown kid found in a box. I am glad to know they were able to identify this boy. For all of the people who wax nostalgia on days gone by and yearn for the golden days, there are absolutely horrible stories like this. It sounds like he was born to unwed parents, perhaps with some developmental issue or disability (they found surgical scars on the body). Maybe his needs were too great for those entrusted to care. He fell through the cracks, and was left uncared for and murdered. It's the saddest story. It's horrible society can let this happen. That's why we must continue to grow and to progress.

this story is gut wrenching. 

13 hours ago, binkybink77 said:

I’m fascinated by this case. This poor child and what he suffered. I thought for sure he had to be from out of the area for no one to come forward in identifying him when his body was discovered. Years ago a woman named Martha Emily Davis told investigators that her parents committed this crime. Actually she told her psychiatrist and apparently after years of discussing this he went to police and police came and questioned her. She did not want to recount it and while cooperative, she didn’t give them as much information as probably needed to solve this crime. It’s also been reported that she suffered from mental illness so the validity of her claims have been questioned - although she had a PhD and worked for years in the pharmaceutical industry which would suggest she wasn’t a paranoid schizophrenic or something of the nature of extreme mental illness that causes delusions. Additionally her hesitation to be forthcoming with information suggests it was not a hoax or attempt at seeking fame. Her claim is that Joseph was sold to her parents and that they kept him in the basement and abused him - physically and sexually. She claimed she was sexually abused as well. She stated that one night after eating beans Joseph vomited. In a rage, her mother beat him, then clipped his hair and nails and bathed him and he died in the bath tub. Interestingly, he was found with beans in his stomach, and was freshly groomed and fingers were pruned like when left in the water. Some of these details were not known to the public. She also claims that Joseph was developmentally disabled - which may be why his parents "sold” him. 

During the press conference investigators mentioned Joseph’s birth parents and that he has living siblings on both sides. That would suggest that perhaps he was placed for adoption, in foster care or even sold as Martha had claimed - unless they were just using technical language to describe his parents. And that they were no longer together if Joseph has siblings on "both sides”. The family is easy to find through social media and the 1950 census records particularly as they stated Joseph was from West Philadelphia and his middle name appears to be a family name. His alleged birth father is now deceased and the woman he was married to for 55 years is as well. It’s not known if that wife was Joseph’s birth mother because they were married in 1959 but Joseph was born in 1953. If these are the right people, Joseph may have been born out of wedlock which was often problematic in the 50’s - could also further support he was placed for adoption. Or perhaps Joseph remained with his birth mother and maybe a step father figure entered the situation and was resentful and abusive to the child. 
 

It is such a strange case with no one ever reporting a missing child - even if his parents did this, was there no aunt, uncle, neighbor, etc that realized he was missing? Or could identify him through the photos released. It breaks my heart what this little boy suffered. I hope the truth is discovered even if the perpetrators are now deceased. Rest in peace little angel. 
 

 

I have watched so many documentaries and read so many stories regarding the "Boy in the Box". I'm aware of all the theories and the story about "M". I just assumed the case would never be solved after all this time has passed. Seems surreal and I couldn't imagine what the poor kid went through before he was murdered.

5 minutes ago, Paul852 said:

I have watched so many documentaries and read so many stories regarding the "Boy in the Box". I'm aware of all the theories and the story about "M". I just assumed the case would never be solved after all this time has passed. Seems surreal and I couldn't imagine what the poor kid went through before he was murdered.

I think the story Martha told has a good chance of being true. Even though it’s been said it was dismissed due to her mental illness, apparently investigators did find her story plausible and they did investigate it - even searching her family home which had since been purchased by someone else and remodeled so obviously that turned up nothing. I think they just ran into a brick wall with no evidence besides her eye witness account and no corroboration. 

4 minutes ago, binkybink77 said:

I think the story Martha told has a good chance of being true. Even though it’s been said it was dismissed due to her mental illness, apparently investigators did find her story plausible and they did investigate it - even searching her family home which had since been purchased by someone else and remodeled so obviously that turned up nothing. I think they just ran into a brick wall with no evidence besides her eye witness account and no corroboration. 

I would love to find out who did this to him even though they are very much dead.

5 minutes ago, Paul852 said:

I would love to find out who did this to him even though they are very much dead.

there needs to be closure to this. 

15 hours ago, binkybink77 said:

I think they probably wanted to notify his living relatives first and give them the chance to lock down their social media accounts and warn them that a sheet show was headed their way. 

Well, the Family does have some explaining to do. 

15 hours ago, binkybink77 said:

 

It is such a strange case with no one ever reporting a missing child - even if his parents did this, was there no aunt, uncle, neighbor, etc that realized he was missing? Or could identify him through the photos released. It breaks my heart what this little boy suffered. I hope the truth is discovered even if the perpetrators are now deceased. Rest in peace little angel. 
 

 

This part is what confuses me. No one ever noticed the kid missing? Makes it seem like the entire family is complicit 

4 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

This part is what confuses me. No one ever noticed the kid missing? Makes it seem like the entire family is complicit 

Could have been a very secluded family. If it was just the parents and young children and the parents kept them inside all the time I could see how nobody would notice the kid is gone. Sometimes there are stories of kids "escaping" to report abuse and neighbors are like "I had no idea there were even children in that house"

1 hour ago, jsdarkstar said:

Well, the Family does have some explaining to do. 

Yeah to investigators - not amateur internet sleuths harassing people that may not even been alive or know anything about this. All of the alleged siblings are younger than Joseph and hadn’t been born yet. 
 

There is a good chance that there aren’t any living relatives left that know or knew about Joseph.