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Michigan authorities seek mother of newborn found dead at music festival as court considers burial petition
Investigators are using forensic technology to identify the parents of an infant girl found at Electric Forest, while a judge weighs a petition regarding her remains.
The short version
- Michigan State Police and prosecutors are investigating the death of a newborn baby girl found in a portable toilet at the Electric Forest Music Festival in Rothbury on June 28.
- An autopsy revealed the infant lived for only one minute after birth, according to official records.
- A local resident has petitioned the Oceana County Probate Court to secure the baby's remains for a local burial, but the judge has deferred ruling until potential relatives or evidentiary needs are fully evaluated.
Key facts
- A newborn baby girl was discovered dead inside a porta-potty in the Good Life camping area of the Electric Forest Music Festival on June 28.[The Hill]
- An autopsy filed with the Oceana County Clerk determined that the infant survived for one minute after birth and that her placenta and umbilical cord were attached.[The Hill]
- Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon stated that investigators are progressing toward identifying the infant's mother, likely using forensic genetic genealogy.[The Hill]
- Ottawa County resident Travis Byrnes testified in Oceana County Probate Court seeking custody of the infant's remains to provide a Christian burial.[The Hill]
- Probate Court Judge Eric Fox did not immediately rule on the petition, citing the need to identify the parents first and confirm that releasing the remains would not harm the criminal investigation.[The Hill]
What remains uncertain
- The identities of the infant's mother and father remain unknown to authorities.[The Hill]
- It is uncertain how long the genetic genealogy investigation will take before police reach a conclusion.[The Hill]
- It remains undecided whether Judge Fox will declare the body unclaimed and approve Byrnes's burial request.[The Hill]