I know over the years many have thought they could help shed some light on this poor child's case, and who he was. A few of these leads still seem so plausible, but appear to be dead ends. I too feel I could possibly have leads worth following, and I will try to sum up my reasons in a couple of paragraphs.
My family owned the home where I would be born in 1959, but three years before this time they rented it out to a family from the deep south that came to Phila for employment purposes. Once in a while when growing up my folks talked about this family, and a possible connection to a little boy found dead not too far away. They did not speak much about it, especially to me - being so young. As a young man in the late 1970's, a few years before my mother's death (my father had died in 1976) my mother again spoke of the boy and how she thought the police may have missed the facts in March of 1957 when she called them to investigate. I recall her haunted face, and thought she truly believed it could be connected. I asked a few questions, but I have to admit I had no idea whatsoever that my folks suspicions were to a famous case.
In 1998 (with a family of my own) I was watching AMW, and when they did a story on the Boy in the Box case - the hairs on neck stood up. Was this the boy my parent's mentioned? Confirming the next day by talking to my sister that this case and my family's suspicions were the same, I learned the magnitude of the coverage! I had no idea up to the point how big it was! Much reading afterwards, and I am now quite familiar with what all happened in February of 1957. To cut to the chase, my sister and I contacted the authorities, got together with two men from the case, and a few months later they contacted me to let me know that my mother did call it early 1957 (we had no proof till that point that she actually did) but it was determined we couldn't help. So I stopped my searching at that time.
It seemed my mother did not know they investigated (I'm not sure of this), and she lived there many years afterward. She was a reasonable woman, why did she feel the ball was dropped? I will give you why in 1957 they thought we couldn't help at another time, and what happened about 8 years ago (2004) that made me start up again to search for some information. I only can say that I know there very well might be no connection, but I am constantly bugged by why did my family think it could have been and knowing enough of the facts, I feel I have no right to not pursue some answers. Fearing my mother's intuition was incorrect, and I don't want to waste anyone's time, I have tried to do much on my own. This has been exhausting to me at times, and I feel blessed that perhaps I can tap the experience and brains of folks on this site for help, guidance and suggestions, if you're willing.
I know part of the name of the renters, where he may have worked, and a few facts like that. Again, I don't pretend to know for sure I really have the long sought after answers, my family's home may have nothing to do with it and I know it, but I feel I need to prove there is no connection so as to have peace of mind.
I hope I use this site correctly! I am open to your thoughts and comments, and I appreciate your time.
Rutt