Two weeks after a newborn baby was found dead in a port-a-potty at the Electric Forest music festival, authorities said that the infant was “born alive” and “viable.”
The Michigan State Police previously said that the baby’s body was found by a maintenance employee in a portable toilet on the morning of June 28 at the festival’s camping area in Rothbury, Michigan.
A suspect has still not been named in the case, and the MSP announced in a press release on Monday, July 13, that the FBI is offering a $15,000 reward for any information that leads to the “identification, arrest and conviction” of those involved in the baby’s death.
Authorities added that a woman from Muskegon was questioned after the MSP received a tip, though she has since been eliminated as a suspect.
The July 13 update stated that “preliminary autopsy findings indicate the infant was viable and was born alive.”
“The MSP remains committed to a thorough investigation of this incident. We are confident that continued investigative efforts, combined with forensic science, will ultimately lead to the identification of the person responsible,” the department said.
Police have made it clear they’re determined to solve the case of what happened to the infant. “We believe that there are definitely people who know something about it,” MSP Lt. Pat Agema said, per NewsNation. “We do believe that this investigation will be solved through forensics.”
Agema added that police are “going through video” and are “trying to follow up on all the leads coming through.”
“That’s probably one of the reasons the FBI has come on board, because of the national attention this festival gets,” he added.
Us previously reported that a “neonate” was found in a porta-potty in the camping area at the festival. A neonate is a baby who is 4 weeks old or younger, per Medline Plus.
Police have not shared any additional updates about the infant, including its gender, race or the health of the child at the time they were found.
Police have asked any with information regarding the case to submit tips online here or to call 800-442-7766.
The Electric Forest music festival took place at Double JJ Ranch and started on June 25 before it concluded on June 28. The festival featured dozens of DJs and music artists, including Chris Lake, ALLEYCVT, Andy C, Avello, Brunello, Vincent Antone, Chris Luno, Close Friends Only, The Flints, Sullivan King, The String Cheese Incident, Lane 8, Lightcode, Wax Monkey and more.
