An 11-month-old boy, Koah Sharpe, was rescued alive on Tuesday after being buried for approximately 24 hours in a shallow grave in a South Carolina forest.
The infant, who had been reported missing on Monday, was discovered by a search team near his grandfather’s home in Lexington County.
Sheriff Jay Koon of Lexington County confirmed that the child was found crying, a sound described as “the most beautiful sound you have ever heard.” The towel likely created a small air pocket, allowing the baby to survive the ordeal.
The child’s father, 25-year-old Michael Comer, was arrested late Monday evening. While authorities initially took him into custody during an investigation into a separate burglary, he now faces charges of attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, and interference with custody, Nieuwsblad reported. Comer had previously been arrested in May for domestic violence and public disorder, and was also facing charges for weapon possession in July.
The search for the infant involved over 100 officers and volunteers, NOS reported. The operation began after the baby’s mother left him with Comer; when a babysitter arrived to collect the child, neither the father nor the infant could be located. Police searched the home of the suspect’s mother, finding open doors and baby supplies, but the child was not there.
The child was eventually located Tuesday afternoon around 2:00 PM local time. Sheriff Koon said that the infant was “alive and well” upon being extracted from the earth. Koah Sharpe was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and is now in the care of family members, VRT reported.
| Charge / Event | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence / Public Disorder | May | Convicted (Probation) |
| Weapon Possession | July | Prosecution pending |
| Attempted Murder / Child Endangerment | November | Arrested/Charged |
Sheriff Koon indicated that the investigation into the motives behind the incident is ongoing. While prosecutors are currently focused on the charges of attempted murder and custody interference, they are in the process of reviewing potential additional charges. Comer, who had moved back into his mother’s home following a separation from his partner, did not disclose the location of his son during his initial arrest.
Medical professionals expect the infant to make a full recovery. “Given that he is 11 months old, he will hopefully not remember much of this when he is older,” Sheriff Koon stated regarding the child’s long-term health. The sheriff expressed optimism about the boy’s future, noting that he will have “a great, inspiring story to tell” later in life.
Authorities have not yet provided further details regarding the specific sequence of events between the child’s disappearance on Monday and his discovery on Tuesday afternoon. The case remains under active investigation by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
