Obviously his parents is whom he is referring to. The dad did the beating, most likely, but the mother remained silent. Especially given this statement:
On Feb. 25, 1957, a naked, emaciated boy between 4 and 6 years old was found dead in a box in a wooded area in northeast Philadelphia. He had been severely beaten, Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said.
Along with the fact the boy was never claimed.
Poor kid had a horrible few years here on Earth.
Correct. If any siblings survived, they may or may not come forward. Probably some idiot violent drunk wifebeating loser killed the child.