South Carolina infant rescued after being buried alive; father charged with attempted murder

An 11-month-old boy from South Carolina was rescued after rescuers located him buried in a dog crate on a neighbor's property for roughly 24 hours. The child, Koah Sharp, was found crying and covered in dirt, and was taken to a hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery, sheriff Jay Koon said.

Michael Comer, 25, the boy's father, was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted murder. He has been in custody since the disappearance and is scheduled for a court hearing on Thursday. Authorities have not disclosed a motive. Comer previously received probation in October after pleading guilty to domestic-violence-related offenses.

According to the sheriff, the infant survived in part because cool temperatures and an air pocket created by a towel wrapped around the crate helped preserve an oxygen supply. First responders searched the area for several hours before locating disturbed soil and hearing the child's cries.

John Comer, the child's grandfather, said he had offered his home to Michael Comer and his son after they said they needed a place to stay. He expressed relief that the boy was found, noting that the location may have been crucial to the rescue.

The boy had been under the care of Michael Comer’s mother when she left to run an errand, leaving the infant with her son. Surveillance video showed Comer without the baby on Monday afternoon. A great-aunt, Amber Hammond, said the father had previously mentioned taking the child out of state.

Koah was released from the hospital on Tuesday night and is expected to recover fully.