LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) – In a harrowing incident, authorities rescued an 11-month-old boy, Koah Sharp, who had been allegedly buried alive in a dog crate by his father, Michael Comer, 25. The little boy was discovered after approximately 24 hours and was found crying and covered in dirt in the woods near his grandfather’s property. John Comer, Koah’s grandfather, provided details about the dramatic rescue, expressing his overwhelming emotions upon the boy's discovery.
After the rescue, Koah was placed on the back of a truck and initially sat up, according to his grandfather. “I became ecstatic, my hands straight in the air. I’m looking in the sky, jumping up and down, praising God,” John Comer recounted. He also mentioned that he fell to his knees and cried tears of relief. Sheriff Jay Koon later confirmed that the infant was released from the hospital on Tuesday night and is expected to make a full recovery.
Michael Comer has been charged with attempted murder following the incident. John Comer noted that he had welcomed his son and grandson into his home just the day before the disappearance after Michael claimed they needed a place to stay. Currently, Michael remains in custody, and authorities have yet to disclose his motive for the alleged crime. He had previously faced legal issues, including a probation sentence handed down in October after pleading guilty to domestic violence and other charges.
During the investigation, Sheriff Koon indicated that Koah’s parents had a troubled history, stating, “Children sometimes get caught in the middle.” Despite the circumstances, the sheriff highlighted that the conditions of the environment played a role in Koah's survival. He mentioned that the cool temperatures and a towel wrapped around the crate below ground helped create an air pocket that allowed the baby to breathe.
On Monday afternoon, authorities embarked on a search for Koah after he went missing under Michael's care. Dozens of first responders scoured the countryside, and after a day of searching, they located the freshly disturbed soil and heard cries from beneath the ground, prompting a rapid rescue effort. “As you can imagine, the race was on. Everyone was trying to get him out,” Koon noted.
Michael Comer was apprehended while hiding in a nearby building in Batesburg-Leesville, but it remains unclear whether he has legal representation. A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. “We’re better now that we know that Koah is safe,” stated Amber Hammond, Koah’s great-aunt, who witnessed the rescue. She had been caring for the boy just prior to the incident.
Koah had been in the custody of his paternal grandmother, who left him briefly in Michael's care while awaiting another caregiver. By the time the caregiver arrived, both Michael and Koah were missing. Surveillance footage from local businesses confirmed that Michael was without the baby on Monday afternoon. John Comer shared his feelings of betrayal, believing his son had taken advantage of his hospitality, but he also expressed gratitude that Koah was found in time.
John Comer conveyed a sense of dread regarding Michael's intentions, suggesting that he might have planned the incident. “It just seems like he already had this planned out, and he knew what he was doing,” he said. Amber Hammond added that Michael had discussed the possibility of taking Koah out of state to avoid being near the child’s mother, indicating potential premeditation in his actions.
Michael's previous legal issues included a domestic violence charge and aggravated breach-of-peace stemming from a prior arrest in July, which led to his probation sentence. As for young Koah, who has been trying to stand on his own and enjoys watching Mickey Mouse cartoons, his family expressed relief at his safe return. “He’s always been happy,” John Comer said, reflecting on the child's typically joyful demeanor.
