Newborn found dead in portable toilet at Michigan Electric Forest festival

A newborn infant, estimated to be less than a month old, was discovered inside a portable toilet in the camping area of the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury, Michigan. The body was found on Sunday morning, June 28, 2026, by an employee of the restroom‑vending company while performing routine maintenance.

Michigan State Police have opened an investigation, stating the case is not currently classified as a homicide and that there is no known threat to public safety. Police have asked festival‑goers and anyone with information to contact authorities, urging the public to avoid speculation on social media. Festival organizers expressed their sorrow, posting on Instagram, "Forest Family, it causes us so much pain to share this difficult news with you."

The four‑day event, held at the Double JJ Ranch, attracted tens of thousands of attendees and featured headliners such as Illenium, Excision, Kaskade and Chris Lake. While the festival also faced severe weather‑related evacuations, the newborn's death has dominated media coverage and prompted a coordinated response from law‑enforcement and event officials.