Michigan State Police said the infant was discovered in a portable restroom in the festival camping area.
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 Rothbury, officials said.
The discovery has drawn a police response at one of Michigan’s largest annual music festivals, held at the Double JJ Resort in Oceana County. Investigators said the infant was found in the camping area, where thousands of festivalgoers stayed during the four-day event. No arrests or charges had been announced as of Tuesday.
Police said an employee of the restroom vending company found the newborn during routine maintenance Sunday morning. The infant was described as a neonate, meaning a baby 28 days old or younger. Authorities have not released the baby’s identity, exact age, cause of death or any details about the child’s parents. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation and ask that people avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected,” Michigan State Police said.
The portable restroom was located in the festival’s camping area, where attendees had been staying since the event began Thursday. Electric Forest organizers said in a statement that the festival community was grieving the discovery. “It causes us so much pain to have to share this difficult news with you,” organizers said. “HQ is heartbroken and knows that our Forest Family is as well.”
Electric Forest is held each year at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury and is known for electronic music, large campgrounds and immersive art installations. This year’s festival ran from Thursday through Sunday and was sold out. The event has drawn tens of thousands of people to west Michigan in past years, making the campground a major part of the festival site.
Investigators have asked anyone who was in the area and saw something unusual to provide information. Police said the investigation remains active and that more details are expected after an autopsy. Officials have not said whether they believe the baby was born at the festival site, how long the infant had been in the restroom or whether any person has been identified in connection with the case.
The discovery came on the final day of the festival. Later Sunday, severe weather forced organizers to halt operations and move attendees from parts of the venue. Limited operations resumed early Monday, according to festival updates. Police have said there is no known threat to the public, but they have not released a full timeline of the investigation.
As of Tuesday, Michigan State Police remained the lead agency in the case. The next major step is the autopsy, which could help determine how and when the newborn died. No further public briefing had been announced.
Author note: Last updated June 30, 2026.