An 11-month-old baby boy was found alive after being buried underground in a dog crate during a 24-hour search near Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. The child, identified as Koah Sharp, was discovered crying inside the wire crate, which had been buried in the ground near his grandfather's home, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.
Discovery After 24-Hour Search
The search ended on Tuesday when Koah was found crying inside the buried crate. Sheriff Koon described the moment as the 'most joyful sound' after hearing the baby crying. The infant had gone missing at around 11am on Monday and spent 24 hours under the ground just 50 yards from his paternal grandfather's home.
Police were called at around midday on Monday and investigated the home of the boy's grandfather. At the home, police found both doors open, baby belongings in the house, but no sign of Michael or the baby. The father was not known to have a car, and police believed he hitchhiked from place to place.
Father Arrested
The boy's 25-year-old father, Michael Comer, was later found hiding in an outbuilding in Batesburg and was arrested on charges of burglary and resisting arrest. He was not yet charged in connection with the incident. Koah had been in the care of his grandmother, Trish Comer, which the sheriff said happens quite often. When Trish needed to run an errand, the baby was left in Michael's care before another caregiver was set to arrive. But by the time the caregiver got there, Michael was gone and Koah was gone with him.
On Monday evening, Comer was found in an outbuilding at a house in Batesburg and arrested. He didn't have much to say about the whereabouts of the baby at that time, according to Koon.
Rescue and Survival
Search teams noticed freshly disturbed dirt and pine straw on Tuesday afternoon, prompting law enforcement to begin digging before they finally heard the infant crying. The child was pulled from inside the crate, which had been covered in a towel. Koon said the towel may have created an air pocket helping him survive. "By the Grace of God, probably provided enough air for him to survive, our estimation is about 24 hours, under that dirt," Sheriff Koon said.
