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

[landis]

I'm sorry for being the party pooper, but, fellow sleuths, why are you posting info and obituaries about people who have not been named as Joseph's parents? Just because you feel it's them, you shouldn't post these details at this point. I get it, it's probably them, but it's way too early to keep adding this info.

 

[Nell91]

I wonder if the 'prominent' family part holds much relevance

 

[Valiant]

SSN was not required until you started work back then.
SSNs for newborns were required sometime starting in the 1990s if you wanted to claim the child on your tax return as a dependent.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Sorry, I had to take a phone call (stupid work!). Did they announce the parents' names?

LE has stated they're not announcing the names of his parents.

 

[arielilane]

Philadelphia police identify child known as the 'Boy in the Box' as Joseph Augustus Zarelli​

Joseph Augustus Zarelli was born on January 13, 1953, and is believed to be from West Philadelphia.

Philadelphia police identify child known as the 'Boy in the Box' as Joseph Augustus Zarelli

"This announcement only closes one chapter in this little boy's story while opening up a new one. This is still an active homicide investigation and we still need the public's help in filling in this child's life story," Outlaw said.

6abc.com

 

[MountainLover]

Last week there was a statement that this case was connected to a "prominent" family-anyone locally who can detail or confirm this?

 

[Shamrock1]

Are they saying that the father on the birth certificate and genetic father are the same person?

 

[spacedcurls]

Last week there was a statement that this case was connected to a "prominent" family-anyone locally who can detail or confirm this?

I don't see anything that leads me to think that Zarelli is or was a prominent family (but could be wrong), so perhaps it's the other parent that was from a prominent family.

 

[PuzzlinEvidence]

Was hoping one of the reporters would ask about M's story and whether it has now officially been discounted (I'm guessing it has, but not sure).

 

[18thcenturylady]

Maybe the mother was from a prominent family??? We don't know for sure who she is/was yet...

 

[RaspberryMama]

Sorry- I forgot this bit of info- was the father on the birth certificate, or found through DNA? If it's the latter I have a theory, if not I'm stumped

Father's name is on the birth certificate.

 

[Friday Fan]

You can do alot with an exact birthdate.
Sorry, I don't subscribe to paid sources.
And it looks like PA doesn't have birth certificate info in my "free" source.
But I do enough genealogy to know that you can get alot of info with an exact birthdate.


However, I wonder if authorities may have the right to "remove" vital stats records from public databases?
I keep hearing these ads on the radio for a service that removes them from public databases.

 

[blackbeary]

The reporter's tweet said Joseph was adopted.

 

[Alleykins]

Did investigators mention, or did any reporters ask, if the birth parents were married? I don't recall any mention of it.

 

[arielilane]

Philadelphia police ID the "Boy in the Box"​

 

[John/Jane Doe]

I am very happy about this news now you can rest in peace little Joseph.

 

[ohbeeeans]

I watched a bit of the press conference-so glad to hear that Joseph has finally been identified! 65 years is way too long.

 

[Gameman]

Sorry- I forgot this bit of info- was the father on the birth certificate, or found through DNA? If it's the latter I have a theory, if not I'm stumped

The mother was found through DNA; the father’s identity was found on the birth certificate after subpoena of all birth certificates in that time frame with her listed as the mother. (One of the siblings on the father’s side confirmed with DNA)

 

[coco]

is the birth certificate public record and does anyone on here have access to it?

 

[txsleuth70]

Public data