The baby at the Electric Forest Music Festival was discovered the morning of June 28 by a portable- restroom cleaning crew in the festival’s Good Life camping area.

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Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon says detectives are making progress and are on the “right path” toward solving the disturbing case.

Genetic Genealogy Could Help Crack the Case

Michigan State Police (MSP) have revealed few details about their investigation, but forensic investigative genetic genealogy is expected to play a role. The technique takes DNA from an unknown person and compares it with genetic profiles voluntarily made available for law-enforcement use. Genealogists can then build family trees from DNA matches, gradually narrowing the possibilities until investigators identify close relatives – and potentially the person they are seeking.

It can be painstaking work, but Bizon suggested investigators are getting somewhere. “We have every reason to believe the detectives are on the right path in getting to where we need to be,” he told WOOD- TV recently. While discussing genetic genealogy, Bizon said, “The detectives are very familiar with the technologies, the techniques that are being used. They know what they’re doing, and they’re going to get this done.”

A Michigan Case Shows It Can Work

There’s already a remarkably similar Michigan case that has demonstrated the power of the technology. In 1997, “Baby Garnet” was found dead in a campground toilet in Mackinac County. The case remained unsolved for more than two decades until advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogy led investigators to the child’s mother, Nancy Gerwatowski. Now investigators may be following a similar trail in the Electric Forest case.

The FBI is assisting MSP with the investigation and continues to offer up to $15,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible. Bizon, meanwhile, sounds increasingly optimistic. “We do believe we’re going to be able to resolve this,” he said.

A Proper Burial

While investigators work to learn who the baby is and who left her behind, a Michigan man is trying to make sure she is not forgotten. Ottawa County resident Travis Byrnes has petitioned Oceana County Probate Court for permission to take custody of the infant’s remains and give her a proper burial. Byrnes told the court he sees himself as a “net under the bridge” – someone willing to step in if no family member comes forward.

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Judge Eric Fox took the request under advisement Thursday, weighing Byrnes’ offer against the possibility that investigators could identify relatives who may want a say in how the child is laid to rest. Prosecutor Joseph Bizon called Byrnes’ offer generous and said those involved in the hearing expressed their appreciation for him coming forward.