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

[trucksareforgirls]

Joseph did not have an SSN.

That was not so weird back then. My dad (b. 1950) and his siblings have sequential SSNs, because their parents didn't apply for them until years after all were born. They were rural, but not, like, mega rural.

 

[leilarose68]

If I had to speculate I would guess that the birth father was very abusive, all the children were traumatized and they guessed that something terrible happened to Joseph but forced themselves to pretend nothing happened and move on with their lives. They were also probably still too scared of their father to come forward and kept it as a family secret. I would imagine that the parents are both now deceased.

 

[Left Thoughts]

The older ones, I'd say yes. It sounds like there are at least a couple of others, born after him.

What a sad thought... if that is the case I can only imagine that the older siblings must've missed him for some time.

 

[Shamrock1]

“Joseph” is similar to “Jonathan.” Are they saying anything about Martha’s version?

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/6abc

#BREAKING Philadelphia police have identified the child known as the 'Boy in the Box' | Watch live video

 

[caradana]

I believe LE just explained that a living sibling‘s DNA was part of the identification process. From that I infer that the siblings have likely known for weeks, if not months.

It’s interesting to consider, how might we as individuals each react to a situation such as this? If I were that living sibling … I think personally my desire for family privacy would be long since past, particularly if my parents were deceased. Actually … even if they were alive, I’d feel this way. I’d also be at this press conference. Physically.

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/6abc

Joseph’s birthdate has been amended to Jan 13, 1953. Homicide Capt Jason Smith said they will not be releasing the name of the birth parents out of respect for the living relatives. The case is still unsolved.

 

[Tahlia Woodson]

Rest in Peace Joseph... it's so wonderful to finally say your name. You are no longer unknown <3

 

[Mama-dukes]

I wonder if his living siblings even knew Joseph existed.

Yes he’s got family living they y they don’t wanna give more information out they r trying 2 take it easy I guess and not give other names out from what I heard on the live Fox News

 

[steff13]

Are we assuming the parents are still living? If they weren't, it seems like they would have made that clear, lest the press be tempted to look for them/harass the family.

 

[leilarose68]

I believe LE just explained that a living sibling‘s DNA was part of the identification process. From that I infer that the siblings have likely known for weeks, if not months.

It’s interesting to consider, how might we as individuals each react to a situation such as this? If I were that living sibling … I think personally my desire for family privacy would be long since past, particularly if my parents were deceased. Actually … even if they were alive, I’d feel this way. I’d also be at this press conference. Physically.

I think it's a really common response to just try to bury the trauma and try not to engage with it ever again. And this is commonly seen in Doe cases when the Doe came from an abusive, traumatized home. The kids just grow up and kind of try to forget about their past; everyone goes their separate ways.

 

[stargazer17]

That was not so weird back then. My dad (b. 1950) and his siblings have sequential SSNs, because their parents didn't apply for them until years after all were born. They were rural, but not, like, mega rural.

I lived in a large city and I remember going to the Social Security Office with my 4 siblings (and Mom) and we all got our numbers. They are sequential except for mine(!)

 

[Mama-dukes]

Not releasing the parents’ names in this press conference will now result in the media staking out every Zarelli between Philadelphia and West Chester. Unfortunate.

U know it will happen if they gave the information everyone would b at the homes just saying

 

[Ontario Mom]

What a sad thought... if that is the case I can only imagine that the older siblings must've missed him for some time.

Likely told he went to live with an aunt, or some other believable story.

 

[Nell91]

I believe both parents are deceased but it hasn't been exclusively said

 

[caradana]

There are most assuredly dozens of completely unrelated Zarellis living in Philadelphia, Delco and Chester Counties whose phones and Facebooks are blowing up right now with texts asking if this is their brother/uncle/great-uncle, and could their parents/grandparents be murderers? I don‘t think this strategy of giving living relatives the option to remain anonymous accounted for the impact on these dozens of other people.

 

[Ontario Mom]

I believe both parents are deceased but it hasn't been exclusively said

Joseph would turn 70 next month, so I think it's quite likely both parents have passed.

 

[Tower]

That was not so weird back then. My dad (b. 1950) and his siblings have sequential SSNs, because their parents didn't apply for them until years after all were born. They were rural, but not, like, mega rural.

I did not get an SSN until I was older than this child. 1987 is apparently when it became more typical for babies to be issued one at birth.

The Story of the Social Security Number

Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis

www.ssa.gov

 

[thatssoamy]

Rest in peace little Joseph, I hope finally you are at peace. We know who you are, you are no longer unknown. <3

 

[Elley Mae]

It was said Joseph has siblings, wonder if siblings have the same father?

Since being on a genealogy site I have two cousins that where not known about by all family. They where born in the fifty’s.