Identified! PA - Philadelphia, 'Boy in the Box', WhtMale 4-6, 4UMPA, Feb'57 #2 - Joseph Augustus Zarelli

[faithx]

I hope it is him. They also announced the solve as an "unsolved mystery" on social media. But can be anyone, the Mad Trapper or any other case theyre at

On the Websleuths YouTube channel last night, it was stated that it was a really huge case from the 1950s. It's what makes me think it could be the Boy In The Box case.

 

[Susikatze]

Looks like.
Man, am I excited!
I wonder if the M story was a dud or true

 

[Shamrock1]

Looks like.
Man, am I excited!
I wonder if the M story was a dud or true

I’ve always believed M. I think she was largely dismissed due to mental health issues. The stomach contents and water-shriveled fingers match up. The neighbors said the idea of a child living there was ridiculous but…it’s not that hard to hide a child’s existence, unfortunately. JMO.

 

[squish]

I’ve always believed M. I think she was largely dismissed due to mental health issues. The stomach contents and water-shriveled fingers match up. The neighbors said the idea of a child living there was ridiculous but…it’s not that hard to hide a child’s existence, unfortunately. JMO.

I fully agree. I’ve always believed her too. She was pretty much doxed a while back and she seems to be a respectable woman with no reason to lie.

 

[Springrain]

I’ve always believed M. I think she was largely dismissed due to mental health issues. The stomach contents and water-shriveled fingers match up. The neighbors said the idea of a child living there was ridiculous but…it’s not that hard to hide a child’s existence, unfortunately. JMO.

Agreed! I've been saying this for years.

 

[squish]

Does anyone know when the announcement will be? I know Friday orMonday but what time and where to look?

 

[fred&edna]

Does anyone know when the announcement will be? I know Friday orMonday but what time and where to look?

I don't think it was THIS case as I just saw this posted in the Othram thread... my guess was wrong. But someone was identified which is good!!

Othram - General Discussion

Othram site link
After 62 years, Candice Rogers' Murderer is Identified

 

[Oakie]

Looks like.
Man, am I excited!
I wonder if the M story was a dud or true

What is the "M story"? I've not heard of it.

 

[dotr]

What is the "M story"? I've not heard of it.

America’s Unknown Child Still Unidentified - Can You Help? | Josie Klakström | NewsBreak Original
''A woman named Martha
In February 2002, a woman came forward claiming to know the identity of the boy. She told police that her mother had bought the boy in 1954, and his name was Jonathan. She claimed that the boy had been sexually and physically abused during his two and a half years with the family, which eventually came to a head one evening over dinner.''

''Police tried to verify Martha’s story but the neighbours who lived next door to the family didn’t recall ever seeing a young boy at the property and told police that Martha had a history of mental illness, which was verified by medical reports. The investigation into the family went no further''.

 

[Oakie]

America’s Unknown Child Still Unidentified - Can You Help? | Josie Klakström | NewsBreak Original
''A woman named Martha
In February 2002, a woman came forward claiming to know the identity of the boy. She told police that her mother had bought the boy in 1954, and his name was Jonathan. She claimed that the boy had been sexually and physically abused during his two and a half years with the family, which eventually came to a head one evening over dinner.''

''Police tried to verify Martha’s story but the neighbours who lived next door to the family didn’t recall ever seeing a young boy at the property and told police that Martha had a history of mental illness, which was verified by medical reports. The investigation into the family went no further''.

Well, if she grew up in that kind of family, it's no wonder she had mental issues. Who knows what sorts of trauma she may have endured.

 

[Shamrock1]

This 2002 article is a good refresh on M: CNN.com - Tossed away: The boy in the box - Dec. 5, 2002. @Oakie this gives a hint of M’s trauma.

I adore (the late) Frank Bender. He theorized that the boy may have been raised as a girl. Does anyone know off the top of their head if M said anything that would accord with his theory? I seem to recall an in-depth piece on M, but it may have pre-dated Bender’s thoughts. New theory for "Boy in the Box" | 6abc Philadelphia | 6abc.com

 

[ChatteringBirds]

If his biological family is identified, I wonder how difficult it will be to prove what happened to him after birth. Could M's story be true but difficult to prove?

 

[squish]

If his biological family is identified, I wonder how difficult it will be to prove what happened to him after birth. Could M's story be true but difficult to prove?

I’m worried about this too. If Martha is correct, “Jonathan” may have been a new name her mother gave him.

The boy would be approaching 70 if he was alive today. Even if there were any family members aware of what happened to him and willing to talk about it, most of his family would be dead.

 

[Shamrock1]

If his biological family is identified, I wonder how difficult it will be to prove what happened to him after birth. Could M's story be true but difficult to prove?

I think it will be difficult to prove simply because of time and because potential witnesses are dead and documents (like M’s psychiatrist’s notes) are gone. Anyone know if M is still alive? Her age puts her at risk of covid. Wouldn’t it be something if the bio mother was still alive? It’s possible, especially if the bio mother was still a child herself. JMO.

 

[taramarie]

I think it will be difficult to prove simply because of time and because potential witnesses are dead and documents (like M’s psychiatrist’s notes) are gone. Anyone know if M is still alive? Her age puts her at risk of covid. Wouldn’t it be something if the bio mother was still alive? It’s possible, especially if the bio mother was still a child herself. JMO.

Unfortunately, she passed away in 2020. If her story is true (and I believe it is personally), I wish she could have been alive to get some answers and some semblance of closure for what her family put them through.

 

[Oakie]

Has this article from 2016 been posted here yet?

New Theory in Decades-Old ‘Boy in the Box' Cold Case

(I don't want to read through all of the posts...)

 

[Friday Fan]

Does anyone notice his head shape?

To me, it appears he was confined to a crib for months and he may have had a developmental delay in which he could not lift his head by the normal age.

Or he could have been heavily bound as a neonate for months.

Either way, head deformities like these usually occur before the fontanels close. They occur due to lack of mobility.

They are fairly common in premies, but fortunately are usually temporary because the child becomes mobile enough before the sutures close.

I think this poor kid was abused and hidden from the beginning. I can't see him "passing" as a girl. He may have had long hair, but it was probably due to neglect...

MOO

 

[worldwatcher]

Does anyone notice his head shape?

To me, it appears he was confined to a crib for months and he may have had a developmental delay in which he could not lift his head by the normal age.

Or he could have been heavily bound as a neonate for months.

Either way, head deformities like these usually occur before the fontanels close. They occur due to lack of mobility.

They are fairly common in premies, but fortunately are usually temporary because the child becomes mobile enough before the sutures close.

I think this poor kid was abused and hidden from the beginning. I can't see him "passing" as a girl. He may have had long hair, but it was probably due to neglect...

MOO

Now that you mention it! Think you’re right!
It does flattens the head,if you don’t turn a baby’s head ,while they are asleep.
After every midnightfeeding,I always did.Also took the advice to lay them on their stomach,so to strengthen their necks by lifting their heads up.
Only used the maxi cosy for travels

 

[Friday Fan]

This case reminds me of Dennis Jurgens.

However, Dennis was in better shape physically.

Deadly Lois did in Darling Dennis in Devastating Degrees

(Dennis's post mortems are online)

It also reminds me of heartbreaking kids who are tied up in dog houses for years.

The abuse here is heartbreaking

 

[Shamrock1]

Does anyone notice his head shape?

To me, it appears he was confined to a crib for months and he may have had a developmental delay in which he could not lift his head by the normal age.

Or he could have been heavily bound as a neonate for months.

Either way, head deformities like these usually occur before the fontanels close. They occur due to lack of mobility.

They are fairly common in premies, but fortunately are usually temporary because the child becomes mobile enough before the sutures close.

I think this poor kid was abused and hidden from the beginning. I can't see him "passing" as a girl. He may have had long hair, but it was probably due to neglect...

MOO

It wasn’t just the possibility of long hair that made Frank Bender theorize he was raised as a girl: the eyebrows appeared styled. Boy in the Box (Philadelphia) - Wikipedia