Police in South Carolina found 11-month-old Koah Sharpe alive on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after investigators say he spent about 24 hours buried in a dog crate in woods near Batesburg-Leesville.
His father, Michael Comer, 25, is charged and denied bond.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon told a 3 p.m. news conference at Camp Kinard that deputies found the boy “clinging to life, crying.”
ValidViewNetwork reports that Comer has not been convicted of any offence.
THE DISAPPEARANCE
Authorities said Koah was in his paternal grandmother’s care on Monday, November 9, when Comer arrived.
The grandmother left to run an errand, expecting another caregiver.
By the time that person arrived, Comer and the child were gone. Koah was reported missing around noon. Deputies searched Comer’s father’s home on Parthenon Road and found opened doors and baby belongings, but no sign of either person.
Surveillance footage that afternoon showed Comer at several businesses without the baby. He had no vehicle. Deputies arrested him Monday night in an outbuilding in Batesburg-Leesville on burglary and resisting arrest charges. Koah was not with him.
THE SEARCH
About 100 officers and emergency personnel took part in the search on Tuesday. They noticed freshly disturbed dirt and pine straw about 50 yards into the woods near Comer’s father’s home. As they dug, they heard a baby cry.
Koah lay in a roughly 2-foot-by-2-foot dog crate wrapped in a towel.
Koon said the towel probably created an air pocket and helped the baby survive. He added that the cold weather may have helped too, and called the cries “the most joyful sound.” He also said he did not know why the baby was buried.
CHARGES AND COURT
On Wednesday, November 11, authorities added attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child and custodial interference to the burglary charge.
A judge denied Comer bond on Thursday, November 12. His next hearing is set for December 10. Koon said there had been issues recently between Comer and Koah’s mother.
The investigation is ongoing.
KOAH’S CONDITION
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Koah went to a hospital that has not been named. Reports say he is recovering and expected to make a full recovery. His mother said he was doing well and staying with a family friend. The sheriff said he hopes the child will not remember the ordeal. ValidViewNetwork reports.