Michigan State Police said the infant was found Sunday morning in a campground restroom.
ROTHBURY, Mich. — Michigan State Police are investigating after a newborn was found dead Sunday morning inside a portable restroom in the camping area at the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury.
The infant was described by police as a neonate, meaning a newborn 28 days old or younger. Investigators said an employee servicing restrooms found the body during routine maintenance. Police said there was no known threat to the public, but the case remained active Monday.
The discovery happened on the final day of Electric Forest, a sold-out music festival held at Double JJ Resort. State police did not release the infant’s sex, cause of death or whether the baby was born at the festival. Officials also did not say whether any person had been identified in connection with the case.
Michigan State Police said anyone who was in the area and saw something unusual should come forward. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation and ask that people avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected,” the agency said in a public statement.
Festival organizers later addressed attendees in a message posted online. “Forest Family, it causes us so much pain to have to share this difficult news with you,” organizers said. They said state police continued to investigate and that festival staff were heartbroken by the discovery.
Electric Forest began Thursday and was scheduled to end Sunday. The festival is known for electronic dance music, large campground areas and nighttime performances in wooded sections of the venue. Police and medical staff are commonly stationed at large festivals, but investigators have not said where the infant came from or how long the body had been inside the restroom.
No charges had been announced as of Monday. Investigators were expected to rely on witness information, festival records, vendor timelines and medical findings. Authorities said more details would depend on the continuing investigation and any results from an autopsy.
The case drew attention from festivalgoers and people across Michigan as state police asked the public not to spread rumors. Officials have released only limited information, leaving several key facts unknown while detectives work to identify what happened before the infant was found.
The investigation remained open Monday, June 29, with Michigan State Police asking for information from anyone who may have been near the campground restroom area Sunday morning.
Author note: Last updated June 29, 2026.