The Tragic Case of Mary Jane Barker: A 4-Year-Old's Fatal Accident

On February 25, 1957, the small town of Bellmawr, New Jersey, was shaken by the disappearance of 4-year-old Mary Jane Barker. Her tragic accident sparked a massive search effort, an extensive investigation, and ultimately, changes in building codes to prevent similar incidents.

Mary Jane Barker

Mary Jane's Disappearance

Mary Jane was last seen playing outside her home on 2nd Avenue in Bellmawr, wearing a blue coat and hat. She was with her friend Maria Freitta and Maria's 4-month-old black spaniel puppy. When Mary Jane failed to return home for lunch, her parents alerted the authorities, and a search party was formed.

The Search Effort

The search for Mary Jane was one of the largest in South Jersey's history, involving hundreds of volunteers, police officers, and firefighters. The community came together to scour the neighborhood, searching homes, yards, and nearby woods. The police even dragged the nearby creek, thinking she might have fallen in. As the search continued, investigators began to suspect foul play.

The Discovery

On March 3, 1957, Maria Freitta and her mother visited a vacant house next door to their home, owned by Maria's aunt and uncle. Maria managed to open a 3-by-5-foot bedroom closet door, and her missing puppy bounded out. Tragically, Mary Jane's body was also found in the closet, seated and partially covered by her blue coat hood.

The Investigation

The autopsy revealed that Mary Jane had died from starvation and exposure, with no signs of violence or trauma. The investigation concluded that Mary Jane had accidentally become trapped in the closet, unable to escape. The closet door had a thumb screw and a small turn latch on the inside, making it difficult for a child to open.

The Aftermath

The tragic incident led to changes in building codes, mandating easily accessible closet doors to prevent similar accidents. Mayor Cornelius Devennel ordered all closet doors in new or reconstructed homes to be equipped with special knobs that could be opened easily from both inside and outside. A ceremony was held in Mary Jane's memory at St. Francis de Sales Church.

The Boy in the Box Case

The press coverage of Mary Jane's case led to new information about the "Boy in the Box" case, where a college student discovered a boy emaciated remains in a box. The student had been hesitant to contact the police but was prompted to do so after hearing about Mary Jane's case on the radio.

Conclusion

Mary Jane Barker's death serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures to protect children. Her tragic accident has had a lasting impact on the community and beyond, highlighting the need for continued awareness and action to prevent such incidents.