FBI appeals for information after newborn baby found dead at Electric Forest festival
The tragedy occurred at some point on Sunday, with a member of maintenance crew making the grim discovery
The FBI is appealing for information regarding the death of a newborn baby at Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan, last month.
The tragedy was first reported by US news media. During routine maintenance checks on Sunday 28th June, the 'neonate', a term referring to infants at four weeks old or younger, was found unresponsive in a portable toilet at the event's camping ground by an employee of the company running the facilities. Michigan State Police was immediately notified.
An investigation was then launched, and federal law enforcement brought in on the case. The initial autopsy has shown the baby was "viable" and born alive. No further details have been disclosed at the time of writing, with authorities stating they need to "protect the integrity" of the ongoing case. A $15,000 reward has been offered for anyone who can assist with inquiries "leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible".
Tips and information for police and the FBI can be submitted here, or by calling 1-855-MICH-TIP (1-855-642-4847).
Electric Forest closed early on Sunday, hours before its scheduled curfew, with extreme weather cited as the cause. In a separate incident, the body of a young Black man named Jerald Jackson was also discovered at the event, with the cause of death later being attributed to suicide . His family has subsequently called this into question, claiming that he had called police to r eport feeling unsafe before disappearing from his friends .
