Michigan State Police are investigating after the baby was found in a camping area at Electric Forest.
ROTHBURY, Mich. — Michigan State Police are investigating after a newborn baby was found dead Sunday morning inside a portable restroom at the Electric Forest music festival in western Michigan.
The baby was found June 28 in a camping area at the festival, which was held at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury. Police said an employee servicing portable restrooms discovered the body during routine maintenance. Authorities described the child as a neonate, meaning a baby younger than four weeks old.
Investigators have not released the baby’s name, sex or cause of death. Police also have not said whether the child was stillborn or died after birth. An autopsy has been completed, but officials said the final findings were still under review.
State police said there was no known threat to the public. The agency asked people who were in the area and saw anything unusual to share information with investigators. Officials also asked the public not to speculate while the case remains active.
Electric Forest organizers said they were heartbroken by the discovery and were cooperating with police. The four-day festival draws tens of thousands of people each year for electronic music, camping and art installations at the rural Oceana County resort.
The discovery came on the final day of the event. Severe weather later forced festival officials to pause operations and evacuate some areas Sunday night before limited activities resumed early Monday.
No arrests had been announced as of Thursday. Michigan State Police said investigators were continuing to review evidence and seek information from people who were at the festival grounds during the weekend.
Author note: Last updated July 2, 2026.