An 11-month-old boy has miraculously survived after being buried alive inside a dog crate for approximately 24 hours in a wooded area of South Carolina, where rescuers made the extraordinary discovery after hearing the infant crying beneath the dirt.
The baby, identified as Koah Sharpe, was found Tuesday afternoon, November 10, about 50 yards into the woods near his grandfather’s home in Lexington County.
Authorities believe the infant had been trapped underground since Monday, following his disappearance while in the care of his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer.
The horrifying discovery came after nearly 100 law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel launched an extensive search for the missing child.
According to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, search teams were combing through the wooded property when they noticed an unusual patch of freshly disturbed dirt covered with pine straw.
As investigators began digging, they suddenly heard something that changed everything.
A baby was crying beneath the ground.
“So, as you imagine, the race was on,” Koon said during an emotional news conference. “Everybody’s getting down there trying to get him out.”
Rescuers frantically removed the dirt and uncovered Koah inside a small wire dog crate, reportedly measuring approximately two feet by two feet.
The crate had been wrapped in a towel and buried about a foot underground.
Amazingly, the infant was still conscious and crying loudly when rescuers reached him.
Koon described the sound as “the most joyful sound you ever heard of a crying baby.”
Investigators believe the towel surrounding the crate may have created a small pocket of air that allowed Koah to breathe while trapped underground.
Cooler overnight temperatures may also have contributed to his survival.
“God is good,” Koon said, describing the baby as “buried alive, clinging to life, crying.”
The terrifying ordeal began Monday morning when Koah’s paternal grandmother, Patricia Comer, left the infant in the care of his father while she went to run an errand.
Another caregiver was scheduled to arrive shortly afterward, but by the time that person reached the house, both Michael and Koah had disappeared.
Concerned relatives contacted authorities, triggering a search across Lexington County.
Investigators later located surveillance footage showing Michael traveling around the Batesburg-Leesville area without his son.
Deputies eventually found him late Monday night inside an outbuilding, where he was arrested on burglary and resisting-arrest charges.
However, Koah was nowhere to be found.
According to Sheriff Koon, Comer provided little information about the baby’s whereabouts, leaving investigators increasingly concerned as the hours passed.
The following afternoon, search teams returned to the area surrounding the home of Comer’s father, where they made the discovery that ultimately saved Koah’s life.
The baby was immediately transported to a hospital for emergency medical care.
Although officials had not released a detailed medical update as of Wednesday, Koon expressed hope that Koah would make a full recovery.
The infant’s grandmother was overwhelmed with relief after learning he had been found alive.
“He’s alive!” Patricia reportedly shouted upon receiving the news.
Speaking about her son’s suspected involvement, she said she never imagined he could be responsible for something so disturbing.
“Honestly, I’m his mother, and I never expected this from him,” Patricia told reporters, adding that he had previously been good with Koah.
Authorities have not established a motive, although investigators acknowledged a history of domestic disputes involving Koah’s parents.
Court records also show Comer had previously faced domestic-violence-related allegations and was recently placed on probation following a guilty plea to aggravated breach of peace.
As of Wednesday morning, Comer remained in custody on a burglary charge while investigators worked with prosecutors to determine what additional charges might be appropriate.
Authorities have not yet announced a criminal charge directly relating to the baby’s burial.
For Sheriff Koon and the dozens of rescuers who spent hours searching for Koah, the discovery was nothing short of extraordinary.