Michael Comer arrested after missing 11-month-old boy Koah Sharpe found buried alive in dog crate in Lexington County, SC

Father Charged Missing 11-month-old boy taken by father rescued after being buried alive: Sheriff The baby, Koah Sharpe, was found buried in a dog crate, authorities said. Missing baby found buried alive in dog crate in South Carolina. WACH By Meredith Deliso Wednesday, November 11, 2026 4:21PM Share Follow ABC7 on Google An 11-month-old boy who had been taken by his father was rescued after being buried alive in a dog crate following an urgent search, authorities in South Carolina said. The baby, Koah Sharpe, was found Tuesday afternoon "clinging to life," after spending what is believed to have been 24 hours buried, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon. The boy was found wrapped in a towel in the crate, shallowly buried under dirt in the woods, "crying the most joyful sound you ever heard of a crying baby," the sheriff said during a press briefing Tuesday. "Certainly, God is good," Koon said. Authorities began searching Monday afternoon for Koah and his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Koah had been left in his father's care at the father’s mother's home while she ran an errand, according to Koon. Another caregiver was coming to the house, but by the time that person arrived, the father and son were gone, the sheriff said. Lexington County deputies located Comer late Monday night in the area of Batesburg-Leesville, but Koah was nowhere to be found, authorities said. A search party of nearly 100 first responders began looking for the baby, according to Koon. While searching near Comer's father's house Tuesday afternoon, they found "freshly disturbed" dirt about 50 yards into the woods, he said. "As they probed it and laid it out and started digging, you could hear little Koah crying," the sheriff said. "As you imagine, the race was on, everybody's getting down there trying to get him out." 2 killed, 1 hurt after Amtrak train crashes into car on track in Western Springs 3 minutes ago SS United States live stream: Historic vessel to be sunk, become world's largest artificial reef off Florida coast 10 minutes ago Former NFL coach Rex Ryan surrenders on hit-and-run charges involving 2 pedestrians 1 hour ago The baby is currently receiving care at a hospital and "hopefully will make a full recovery," the sheriff said. Based on what investigators learned of the father's whereabouts, it is believed the baby had been buried for 24 hours, Koon said. The sheriff says he believes the towel helped create an "air pocket." "Hopefully at 11 months old, he will not remember much of this as he grows older, just to have a great inspiring story to tell," Koon said. Comer was located in an outbuilding at a house in Batesburg on Monday night, according to Koon, who said, "Of course, he didn't have much to say about the whereabouts of the baby at that time." Comer was initially arrested on burglary and resisting arrest charges, and authorities are working with the local solicitor's office to determine additional charges, Koon said. "We want to thank everybody and just celebrate the fact today that an 11-month-old baby is alive," Koon said. Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures. Related Topics FATHER CHARGED MISSING CHILDREN U.S. & WORLD South Carolina dad arrested after allegedly leaving daughter in line for Pokémon cards: Police Father arrested after 4-year-old fatally shoots himself in face in South Texas, sheriff's office says Florida dad accused of killing kittens to punish teen daughter Wife speaks out after husband allegedly strangles disabled daughter Watch Live ON NOW 2 killed, 1 hurt after Amtrak train crashes into car in west suburbs 3 minutes ago SS United States live updates: Iconic vessel to be intentionally sunk 10 minutes ago Former NFL coach Rex Ryan surrenders on hit-and-run charges 1 hour ago 19-year-old man found fatally shot in NW Side alley: Chicago police 11 minutes ago Man shot to death while delivering food with dad on NW Side: family 4-year-old shot on South Side: CPD 14 minutes ago Chicago honors veterans and their families at Soldier Field ceremony 1 hour ago Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, dead at 66 1 hour ago