South Carolina Baby Found Alive After 24 Hours Buried in Dog Crate; Father Charged With Attempted Murder
LEXINGTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA — November 12, 2026. An 11-month-old boy survived after authorities say he was buried alive in a dog crate in a wooded area for approximately 24 hours. The child, identified as Koah Sharp, was rescued Tuesday after a large search involving nearly 100 first responders. His father, Michael Comer, 25, has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses, according to the Associated Press and Lexington County authorities.
How rescuers found Koah
Koah was reported missing Monday after disappearing while in his father’s care. Deputies located Comer that evening, but the infant was not with him. Searchers continued looking near the home of Comer’s father and discovered freshly disturbed soil in the woods. As they began digging, they heard the baby crying.
Sheriff Jay Koon described the sound of Koah’s cries as an extraordinary moment of relief. The infant was inside a wire dog crate wrapped in a towel and buried in a shallow hole. Investigators estimate he may have been underground for about a day.
How the child survived
Authorities believe the crate’s structure and towel may have created an air pocket that allowed Koah to breathe. Cool weather may also have contributed to his survival. Those are investigators’ preliminary assessments, not a definitive medical explanation.
Koah was evaluated and treated at a hospital. The Associated Press reported Thursday that he had been released from the hospital and was expected to make a full recovery.
Father charged; bond denied
Comer faces charges including attempted murder, burglary, and unlawful conduct toward a child. At a Thursday court appearance, a judge denied bond. Investigators alleged that Comer attempted to flee the state. The court approved a public defender, and another hearing was set for December 10. The charges are allegations, and Comer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
What investigators are still examining
Authorities have not publicly established a motive. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances of Koah’s disappearance and the events leading to his rescue. The case has prompted renewed discussion about child safety and the importance of rapid coordinated missing-child searches.
Brownstone Worldwide will follow court developments and official updates on the child’s recovery while respecting his privacy.
Sources: Associated Press, November 12; NBC News, November 10–11; CBS News, November 11.
Featured image is an editorial illustration, not an actual photograph of the rescue.
