Baby Found Dead at Electric Forest Was Born Alive, Police Say

A newborn found dead in a portable bathroom at Electric Forest was born alive and was viable at birth, Michigan State Police confirmed this week following a preliminary autopsy. The FBI has joined the investigation and is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of whoever is responsible.

Discovery at the Good Life camping area

The baby was discovered June 28, the final day of the four-day festival, in a portable toilet located within the Good Life camping area of the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan. A worker for the company that services the restrooms found the body during a routine maintenance check. MSP officials at the time were unable to assess whether the child was born at the festival or abandoned on its grounds.

Search for the mother continues

Investigators have not located the mother. They believe there are individuals with important information relevant to this case who may be reluctant to come forward, according to a post on X, and they urged anyone with knowledge of the circumstances to contact authorities.

The case went viral within hours of the discovery, and social media users began circulating unverified claims about who might have been responsible. One woman was wrongly identified online and subjected to harassment before investigators interviewed her and ruled her out as a suspect.

Tips can be submitted anonymously

The investigation remains active and no arrests have been announced. Michigan State Police are asking anyone with information to submit a tip online or by calling 855-642-4847. Investigators emphasized that tips can be submitted anonymously and said they are confident that continued investigative efforts, combined with forensic science, will ultimately lead to the identification of the person responsible.