Lexington County, S.C. — Deputies searching for 11‑month‑old Koah Sharpe said they heard a baby crying underground and dug up a buried crate, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, a day after the child’s father was arrested in a separate case.
Search leads to cries underground
Koon said deputies focused Tuesday on the home of Michael Comer’s father near Batesburg-Leesville and noticed pine straw and freshly disturbed dirt. As they dug, they “began to hear a baby crying,” Koon told Columbia’s WIS. “So as you imagine, the race was on. Everybody’s getting down there trying to get him out.”
According to Koon, deputies uncovered a crate he described as a “dog crate” with wire slats, wrapped in a towel. Koon said the towel likely created an air pocket. LiveNow from Fox quoted Koon saying, “Just a few moments ago, we found little Koah Sharpe, 11 months old, buried alive, clinging to life, crying.” WSPA-TV reported the baby was “screaming” when found. Outlets reported he was treated at a hospital.
Father arrested earlier; child still missing at the time
WIS reported 25-year-old Michael Comer was arrested Monday evening on a burglary charge after deputies found him alone in a shed. WSPA-TV reported officials said Comer “didn’t have much to say about the whereabouts” of his son when taken into custody.
According to WIS, the search began Monday after Comer’s mother, who had been caring for Koah, left the child with Comer at her home while she ran an errand and waited for another caregiver. Before the caregiver arrived, WIS reported, Comer left with the child, prompting family members to file a missing-person report.
Why no Amber Alert
WIS quoted Sheriff Koon explaining that no Amber Alert was issued because investigators lacked a vehicle description and license plate. “To be able to issue an Amber Alert, you have to have a known description of a car and a license plate to put that out,” Koon said.
What officials and records say about Comer
Court records reviewed by WIS show Comer pleaded guilty last month to aggravated breach of peace and was placed on probation. WIS also reported prior arrests for domestic violence and weapons-related charges.
Next steps
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department posted during the search that “Someone knows something that can help bring little Koah home,” describing the child and asking for tips. After the recovery, LiveNow from Fox quoted Koon saying, “God is good.” ABC News quoted Koon expressing hope the infant won’t remember the ordeal.
As of the latest reports cited above, Comer remained jailed on the burglary charge; additional charges related to the burial were not detailed in the accounts referenced here.
