South Carolina man denied bond in case of alleged infant burial
Michael Comer, 25, was denied bond after being charged with attempted murder and related offenses in connection with the disappearance and rescue of his 11-month-old son.
A Lexington County magistrate denied bond to Michael Comer, 25, on Thursday, after the man was charged with attempted murder, burglary and unlawfully placing a child at risk. The charges stem from the disappearance of his 11-month-old son, Koah Sharp, who was found alive in a dog crate buried in a stand of scrubby pines about 24 hours after being reported missing. Sheriff Jay Koon said the child was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Tyler Douglas, lead investigator for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, told Magistrate Gary W. Reinhart that Comer showed no remorse and attempted to leave the state. Reinhart appointed a public defender for Comer and scheduled a further hearing for Dec. 10.
According to a 911 call released by authorities, Patricia Comer described her son as having severe mental-health issues and expressed concern about leaving Koah with him. She said Michael Comer had threatened self-harm and mentioned traveling to New York, which he could not do while on probation.
John Comer, the boy’s grandfather, said Michael had appeared calm and caring when he arrived with the child, feeding and changing the infant before the incident. He described the crate used to conceal the child as “just a piece of junk” and expressed relief that Koah survived.
Investigators found freshly disturbed soil and heard the child’s cries, leading rescuers to uncover the crate. Sheriff Koon noted that cool temperatures and an air pocket created by a towel wrapped around the crate likely contributed to the infant’s survival.
Comer has been held in custody since Monday, when the child was reported missing. No attorney has been appointed for him yet.