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*Images related to unsolved cases or unidentified remains may be graphic or otherwise distressing. They may contain postmortem images, particularly in the case of unidentified persons. If included, such images will be on the Photos & Media tab. Links may direct you to a 3rd party. Use extreme caution before opening or viewing them.
- Victim
- Demographics
- Clothing and Possessions
- Location
- Disappearance
- Discovery
- Vehicle
- Person(s) of Interest
- More Details
- Other Photos
- Additional Resources
- Contact Police
Victim
- Photo
- Full Name
- Surname
- Doe
- Given Name (Forename)
- John (#2018)
- Alternative Name
- American's Unknown Child, The Fox Chase Boy, The Boy in the Box
- Photo After Aging (Age Progression)
- Status
- Unidentified
- Case Record ID
Demographics
- Date of Birth
- Birthplace
- Age
- 3, 4, 5, 6
- Age Group
- Toddler
- Age as of Today
- Biological Sex
- Male
- Hair Color
- Brunette
- Hair Description
- Eye Color
- Blue
- Skin Complexion
- Shoe Size
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages Spoken
- Physical Build
- Height (ft'in")
- 3'3
- Height (cm)
- 99
- Height Range
- Weight (lbs)
- 30
- Weight (kg)
- 13.6000
- Weight Range in Pounds
- Distinguishing Characteristics
- Scar
- Photo of Distinguishing Feature
- Medical Condition
- Physical Abnormality
- He still had all his baby teeth although he was a little bucktoothed.
- Dental Condition
- Scars & Other Marks
Three scars may have been from surgical procedures including one on the chest and one on the groin. These had healed nicely with little scarring left. The third scar appeared to be a ‘cut-down’ incision on his left ankle (used to insert a needle into a vein for infusions or transfusions).
He also had a 1.5″ scar on the left side of his chest, an oddly shaped scar on his left elbow, and a 1/4″ “L-shaped” scar on his chin.
He had no signs of vaccinations, but had been circumcised.
He also had little moles including 3 on the left side of his face, one beneath his right ear, three on his chest, and a larger one about 2″ up on his right wrist.
- Piercings
- Tattoo Description
- Multiple Tattoos?
- Tattoo Location
- Tattoo Subject
- Other Demographics
Clothing and Possessions
- Photo of Clothing or Accessories
- 4umpa9
- Clothing (Full Description)
The child himself was nude, but nearby they found a yellow flannel shirt (size 4) that would have been his size.
They also located a tan scarf (child sized) as well as black shoes that were not his size.
There was a blue corduroy baseball cap (Ivy League type) with a leather strap and buckle that was later traced to a shop in south Philadelphia. The seller said a n unaccented man around 26-30 years old bought it (no sign of a child with him).
- Possessions / Accessories
The child was wrapped in an older blanket (cheap fabric) that had a faded pattern of diamonds and squares in green, rusty red, brown, and white. A small piece of the blanket had auto grease.
Location
- Address
Fox Chase Neighborhood
- City
- Philadelphia
- Province or State
- Pennsylvania
- Country
- United States
- Postal Code
- 19111
- Latitude & Longitude
- General Location
Disappearance
- Date of Disappearance
- February 25, 1957
- Notes
A toddler aged somewhere between 3-6 years old was discovered to be the victim of a homicide. He was between 3’0 – 3’3″ in height with light brown / dark blonde hair cut into a kind of ‘bowl’ cut, The haircut had been chopped and then buzzed off and he still had strands on his body suggesting the haircut was made right before he died. It gave rise to the suspicion that someone may have disguised him as a girl.
His nails were trimmed and the healing of his scars suggested medical care was given to him. There were also no signs of older abuse, trauma, or serious injury. However, when he was found, the child was malnourished and had been beaten. His right palm and the soles of his feet seemed to have been left in water long enough to become rough and wrinkled sometime around or after his death.
He was left in a cardboard box with JC Penny’s logo and the words “Furniture, Fragile, Do Not Open with Knife” on it. The box was tracked to a JC Penny from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania and had originally contained a white bassinet. The boy had only been dead for a few days, suggesting he disappeared within a week or so of his recovery.
The remains and box were located in a wooded area in the NE part of Fox Chase Neighborhood near the intersection Verree and Susquehanna Rd, close to Pennypack Park.
Police recovered a strand of hair (brunette) from the crime scene but the results of whether it was related to the child are not known (it wasn’t his). They also found a handkerchief (man’s) with the letter “G” near the area.
Many photos are a facial reconstruction and may not exactly match the child’s true appearance. The photos from post-mortem are under “Further Details”
- Multiple Victims?
- Rumored or Actual Sightings
Discovery
- Date of Discovery
- February 25, 1957
- Notes
- Potential Signs of:
- Time of Death
A few days, suggesting he disappeared within a week or so of his recovery
- Cause of Death
Blunt-force trauma (Homicide)
- Recovered Remains (if Partial)
- Suspected Homicide?
- Multiple Victims?
- DNA Tested (No Match)
Vehicle
- Vehicle
- License Plate
- Photo of Vehicle
Person(s) of Interest
- Suspect(s)
- Suspect(s) Description
- Photo of Suspect(s)
- 4umpa7
More Details
- General Notes
- Related Cases
- In-Depth Case Overview:
- Map of Key Locations
Other Photos
- Poster(s)
- Other Photos
- 4umpa11,4umpa4_large,4umpa8,4umpa3,4umpa2,4umpa5,4umpa6_large
Additional Resources
- Official Notice
- www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMU/1231830/1/screen
- Videos
- Articles
- Podcasts
Contact Police
- Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Website
- tips.fbi.gov/contact
- Email Address
- Phone #
- (855) 835-5324
- Emergency #
- 911
- Alternative Contact
Crime Stoppers: https://www.crimestoppersusa.org/programs/locate-a-program or try ICMP: icmp@icmp.intNCMEC: (800) 843-5678
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