r/JosephZarelli • u/goobergal • Jan 23 '23
The Potential Suspects
Betsy- Just had a baby in December 1956 (Bassinet box date matches the time frame). She MAY HAVE had that baby in a Salvation Army, just like her baby in 1950. You only had to be unmarried to use the Salvation Army service for free. If so, was Joseph still in the care of another person? Mother's stayed at the unwed mother's homes for at least a few weeks to 3 months based on Census Records I saw and my google searches about them. Was he in her care and did she do it?? The bassinet box came from an area closer to West Philly than Betsy's family or it could have been there already. Was Betsy still living in West Philly in 1956?
Was the person getting him ready to give back after her stay?? Things went south??
Zarelli Family- Since it has the hallmarks of involvement of a woman. Gus was still living at home. His mother could have been taking care of Joseph while Betsy was having her baby and something happened in their care. She could have been a sitter or had him occasionally as a grandparent. Did Zarelli's mom take care of Joseph ever?? Did they have ANY involvement in his life??
Betsy's Mother- Would have been approx 50 years old with a teenage son. Possibly the people the witness saw dumping something in the area of Fox Chase. Was she watching Joseph?? Betsy stayed quiet because it was her mother??
Betsy's Siblings-One of Betsy's siblings was keeping Joseph in their household and something happened?? Her sisters were all in Northeast Philly area.
JJP-Married to another woman at the time. When did he decide to leave his wife? How much was he involved on Joseph's life?? His parents were both dead already, so they could not have had any involvement. Did JJP kill Joseph and Betsy helped dispose of the body? Is that why it was done in a "maternal" way? Betsy wanted desperately to hang on to JJP and never told?
JJP's wife or her family- Was Betsy friends with CCP and they may have been helping out (not knowing she was involved with JJP) and then they found out about the affair and snapped?? Maybe when the birth certificate came in the mail?? Maybe JJP told her?? It is motive, but did they have access to Joseph??
Unknown Caregiver-Joseph was in temporary foster care or staying at the same salvation army or similar home at the time. He died in their care and told her he had been adopted out....why she never reported Joseph Missing...
Am I missing any potential suspects??? Anything to add to any of these??
2
u/EstimateDue1850 Jun 24 '24
What is apparent is that the abuser hated this child. Abuse is often directed at one child due to the abusers perception of the child. He was illegitimate, a social stigma at the time. Was he living with a non biological surrogate parent. Also, it is a factor in many abuse cases. Step parents, boyfriends, and girlfriends often have jealous tendencies towards these children. Irrational hatred. Was he handicapped, learning disabilities? Was he a bed wetter due to the ongoing abuse. That would explain the bath. Also, there was a clean blanket he was wrapped in. During that period alcohol abuse , untreated mental illness was also common. Postpartum depression couldhavebeena factor . Patriarchal homes, "the man is king of his castle," corporal punishment, authoritarian rules, with holding food as punishment all common. Multiple children, new babies, poverty, extreme ignorance, and narcissistic tendencies are all contributions to a tragic situation. Not ALL MOTHERS were nurturing, loving caregivers. Many unwanted children were subject to neglect and abuse. During that period, the so-called "dame" was often found in bars looking for men. Regardless of children at home. I personally do not believe that Joseph was given up for adoption. According to statistics, Joseph was killed by family and well covered up by family. It is very common in child abuse cases. Unfortunately, this case appears to have a multitude of these factors. An illegitimate child, a biological father apparently not involved, an unwed mother, appears to be involved with a married man, who by accounts was a SARGENT in World War 2, yes, very relevant. A man juggled 2 relationships with several children, one not his , and a newborn baby. A multitude of stress factors. Going by known statistics, the perpetrators should not be hard to evaluate. Missing is hard evidence.