Police in western Michigan are investigating the death of a baby found inside a portable toilet at a music festival, and they are asking the public for help. The discovery has drawn renewed attention to the camping area where tens of thousands of people gathered for the Electric Forest festival.
The body was found Sunday morning during routine maintenance by an employee of the bathroom company, according to Michigan State Police. The festival was in its final day at the time, and the area included camping near the 2,000-acre Double JJ Resort close to Lake Michigan.
What police have said so far
Authorities described the baby as a neonate, meaning the child was younger than 28 days old. They have not said how the baby died, whether the child was a boy or a girl, or whether a parent, guardian, or other connected person has been identified.
Michigan State Police Lt. Pat Agema said an autopsy was completed on Monday, and investigators will review the results before providing more updates. As of Tuesday, the death had not been classified as a homicide.
Festival setting and response
The Electric Forest festival began Thursday and typically draws large crowds for electronic dance music and jam bands. Most attendees camp at the resort near the shores of Lake Michigan, and police said the body was found in the festival’s camping area.
Festival organizers shared the state police post about the death on Monday and wrote that “it causes us so much pain to have to share this difficult news with you.” They also joined police in urging attendees to “assist in any way.”
Police are seeking witnesses or anyone with relevant information as the investigation continues. Organizers did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Tuesday, and authorities have not released additional details about the infant’s death.