BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Boy in the Box Case Notes

Jul 27, 2024

BuzzFeed Unsolved: The Case of the Boy in the Box

Overview

  • Discusses the case of the unidentified boy found deceased in a box.
  • Case is noted for its mystery and bizarre details.

Discovery of the Body

  • Date: February 25, 1957
  • Location: Illegal dumping ground near Verree Road, Philadelphia.
  • Body Description:
    • Estimated age: 4 to 6 years old
    • Weight: 30 lbs
    • Height: 3 ft 3 in
    • Found naked, wrapped in a blanket
    • Hair: Cut, body washed recently
    • Scars present (chin, groin, left ankle), potential prior medical procedures.

Cause of Death

  • Head injuries identified as the cause.
  • No Witnesses to the incident.

Initial Findings

  • First discovery: Body found by a young man who reported it to police after a day.
  • Another man had seen the body but chose not to report it.
  • Cold weather complicated timeline of death.

Attempts to Identify the Boy

  • Boy was kept in the morgue; visitors from 10+ states came to identify.
  • 400,000 flyers distributed; no leads.
  • Footprints and fingerprints taken; no records found.

Clues Found

  1. Box Details

    • Contained a serial number, traced back to JC Penney store 15 miles away.
    • Box used to ship bassinets; ruled out 12 purchasers who either discarded or still had the boxes.
  2. Blanket Analysis

    • Made in either Granby, Quebec, or Swannanoa, North Carolina; thousands produced.
  3. Found Hat

    • Blue corduroy cap seemed significant; linked to a South Philadelphia store and a purchaser who customized it.
    • Purchaser description: blonde, aged 26-30; police unable to find links.
  4. Hair Samples

    • Indicated possible hurried haircut; raised the theory that the boy might have been raised as a girl.

Theories Regarding Identity

  • Theory 1: Possible connection to a man who sold his son. A forensic pathologist supported potential familial resemblance.
  • Theory 2: Medical examiner pursued leads over decades but struggled with credibility and evidence.
  • Theory 3: A woman stated her mother might have handed over a boy (potentially the boy in the box) in an abusive context. Details provided seem to match up but verification was lacking.

Conclusion

  • The case remains unsolved with ongoing speculation.
  • The boy's grave is marked as "America's Unknown Child" at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.
  • Continual questioning of why no one claimed the boy; public still intrigued by the mystery.

Future Outlook

  • Hopes that through continued investigation, the identity can eventually be uncovered.
  • Ongoing efforts from enthusiasts and investigators reflect the enduring nature of this tragic tale.

Epilogue

  • Host humorously discusses potential rewards for solving the mystery.
  • Emphasis on the lasting impact of this unsolved case.