Warning: This article contains details regarding a deceased newborn baby, which some readers may find distressing.
Police are appealing for information after a newborn baby was found dead in a portable toilet at a major festival in the US.
The Michigan State Police continue to investigate the discovery of a deceased neonate found Sunday morning in the camping area at the Electric Forest Festival.
Investigators are asking for the public's assistance. If you were in the area and observed anything unusual, or if you… pic.twitter.com/Lfmrb7g9Hz
— MSP Sixth District (@mspwestmi) June 28, 2026
Authorities say the infant was discovered on Sunday, June 28, during Electric Forest Festival, a popular dance music event held in Michigan.
Michigan State Police said the body was found in a portable restroom in the camping area of the festival and was discovered by an employee of the restroom vending company during routine maintenance.
Taking place this year at the Double JJ Resort from June 25 to June 28, the festival is known for blending electronic music with a woodland setting inspired by Sherwood Forest-style fantasy themes and psychedelic visuals.
At this stage, police have not released the baby’s identity, the cause of death, or any details about the mother. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen something unusual during the Sunday portion of the festival to come forward.
Michigan has a Safe Delivery of Newborns law, which allows a parent to safely and confidentially surrender a newborn who is believed to be 72 hours old or younger at a hospital, fire station or police station, or to an emergency medical responder by calling 911.
The festival ended earlier than planned on Sunday night after severe weather disrupted proceedings.
Even so, the event had continued into the early hours of Monday before conditions brought it to a close.
In a public statement posted to X, MSP Sixth District said: “The Michigan State Police continue to investigate the discovery of a deceased neonate found Sunday morning in the camping area at the Electric Forest Festival.”
The statement continued: “Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance. If you were in the area and observed anything unusual, or if you have information that you believe may be relevant, we encourage you to come forward.”
Police asked “anyone with information” to submit tips through the http://michigan.gov/michtip website. They also thanked the public for its cooperation and urged people not to speculate online about the circumstances, “out of respect for the investigation and those affected”.
Festival organizers also addressed the incident in a statement shared on Instagram, saying: “It causes us so much pain to have to share this difficult news with you.”
They added: “Michigan state police continues to investigate this tragic event, if you can assist in any way.”
In an earlier update, Michigan State Police said the body of a “neonate” had been found “in a portable restroom in the camping area at the Electric Forest festival Sunday morning.”
That statement also said: “This is an ongoing investigation, and there is no further information to share at this time and there is no known threat to the public.”