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
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.
Blanket Analysis
Made in either Granby, Quebec, or Swannanoa, North Carolina; thousands produced.
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.
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.