Authorities in Lexington County, South Carolina, have successfully rescued an eleven-month-old baby who was allegedly buried alive in a crate by his father. The infant, identified as Koah Sharpe, had been missing since Monday when he was taken by his father, Michael Comer, 25, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
On Tuesday, rescuers discovered Koah near his father's residence, buried and clinging to life. It is believed that he had been there for approximately 24 hours. The child was rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving care, with officials expressing optimism about a full recovery. Police are still deliberating on additional charges to be brought against Comer.
The search for baby Koah commenced on Monday after his father took him from his mother's house. Michael Comer's mother was temporarily watching the child when he abruptly left with Koah, according to Sheriff Jay Koon. Subsequently, Comer was spotted traveling to various locations without the baby and was later apprehended in Lexington County without Koah.
A team of 100 police and fire department officials were then dispatched to search for the child. When asked about his son's whereabouts, Comer reportedly had little to say. Rescuers, guided by freshly disturbed dirt near Comer's father's house, began digging and heard a baby crying, described by Koon as "the most joyful sound you ever hear."
The crate was wrapped in a towel, providing enough air for Koah to survive for as long as he did. The cold weather also prevented him from overheating. Sheriff Koon estimated that the crate, approximately two feet by two feet, would have left Koah at least a foot from the top of the crate when it hit the ground.
Sheriff Koon acknowledged that there were "obviously some issues" in the parents' relationship. Michael Comer has previously pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges, according to court records. Comer's mother, Patricia Comer, told NBC News that Koah's mother had full custody of him but permitted her to supervise while he watched the baby unsupervised without any problems. However, she expressed surprise at this incident, stating, "Honestly, I'm his mother, and I never expected this from him."