A newborn baby was discovered dead inside a portable toilet at the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan, over the weekend. The discovery was made on Sunday morning during routine maintenance of the restrooms at the sold-out music festival, which typically draws around 50,000 attendees.
Michigan State Police confirmed the investigation into the deceased neonate, defined as a baby four weeks old or younger. Authorities have not yet released the identity or exact age of the infant, and it remains under investigation whether the death was criminal in nature. Police have urged the public to avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected.
The festival, organized by AEG Worldwide, has been held annually since 2011 and features electronic music and jam bands. The Double JJ Resort hosted this year's event. While the final day of the festival proceeded on Sunday, June 28, it reportedly shut down hours earlier than scheduled due to approaching severe weather. The event resumed with limited operations around 2 a.m. Monday.
Investigators are concerned for the well-being of the infant's mother and are reviewing information from festivalgoers to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death. The festival organizers expressed heartbreak over the incident on social media. Representatives from the Double JJ Ranch, AEG Worldwide, Michigan State Police, and the Electric Forest Festival have not yet provided further comment on the incident.
