Summary (tl;dr)

A newborn baby was tragically found deceased in a portable restroom at the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury, Michigan, leading to an active police investigation.

Essential Background

The Electric Forest Festival is an annual electronic music and arts festival held at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan, typically spanning four days in late June. The 2026 festival took place from June 25th to June 28th and is known for its unique blend of music, immersive art installations, and community atmosphere within a woodland setting. The event draws an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 attendees annually.

The Full Story

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the final day of the Electric Forest Festival, a deceased newborn infant, classified as a "neonate" (an infant four weeks old or younger), was discovered in a portable restroom within the festival's camping area. An employee of the portable restroom vendor found the baby's body during routine maintenance. The Michigan State Police are actively investigating the incident and have appealed to the public for any information that might be relevant. Festival organizers have expressed their profound sadness and urged festival-goers to cooperate with the police inquiry.

Why It Matters

The discovery has generated significant public concern and prompted a police investigation to determine the circumstances of the newborn's death and to identify the mother, ensuring she receives any necessary support. Authorities have requested that the public refrain from speculation on social media to maintain respect for the ongoing investigation and all those affected. This tragic event has cast a pall over the popular music festival, drawing attention to a deeply distressing situation.

Geographic Location

• Double JJ Resort, Rothbury, Oceana County, Michigan, United States (location where the newborn baby was found at the Electric Forest Festival)