The Boy in the Box: America's Unknown Child

by Jim Hoffmann

The Zodiac Killer aside, no unsolved criminal case in American history has quite gripped investigators nationwide like the Boy in the Box Case of Philadelphia, 1957. It is a story of sadness, teeming with hope. Originally seen as a local, solvable case, it has grown to include its own Website and appearances on America's Most Wanted, 48 Hours, Cold Case, and the like. Still the case is unsolved, and as Detective Tom Augustine recently said, "The case just won t go away." On Monday, February 25, 1957, a young Caucasian boy, estimated to be between the ages of three and five, was found nude along Susquehanna Road, an illegal dumping ground for unwanted trash, located just some eight miles north of downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the City of Brotherly Love. The boy's body was partially covered with a recently cleaned, rust-colored, Indian-style blanket remnant over his loin and was placed inside a relatively pristine J.C. Penney bassinet box. Ironically, the discarded box was in better shape than the boy. What the Boy in the Box Case boils down to is quite simple. So much effort was put into the case because the victim is the epitome of innocence. As Lt. Kenneth Coluzzi, who once headed the Special Investigations Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Division, put it, "It's about giving the boy an identity and a name." This came to be a monumental task for all involved. So began to build this story, the story of a boy, a box, and a lot of love, on February 25, 1957.

Genres: True Crime

170 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2006

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad story and knowing it to be true makes it worse. AND knowing that it happened within a few miles of my home makes it worse. Plus, I’ve shopped in the Ross store that provided a major clue. Too. Close. To. Home.

[django · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, comprehensive and informative. Looking forward to new edition with updates, since this child has finally been identified- through DNA/ genetic genealogy and solid investigative work- which has never stopped for over 65 years.

[Rachel McAuliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

My uncle wrote this book. Sad the story is true but happy to know they finally solved who the boy is and who murdered him. The book is easy to read.

[Miller Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book during my block blast game addiction.

[Kym · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story (the murder of an unknown child that took place in Philadelphia in the late 50s) was put into the wrong hands. My guess is Hoffman is a small-time reporter.