50 YARDS INTO THE WOODS, ONE FOOT OF DIRT: SEARCHERS HEAR BABY CRYING AND FIND 11-MONTH-OLD KOAH SHARPE ALIVE INSIDE BURIED DOG CRATE AFTER FATHER’S ARREST

LEXINGTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA — It was a sound no one on the search team will ever forget.

After hours of desperately searching for a missing 11-month-old baby, rescuers heard something coming from beneath the dirt in a wooded area: a faint cry.

They began digging — and uncovered a horrifying discovery.

Little Koah Sharpe was alive inside a wire dog crate buried beneath approximately one foot of soil, roughly 50 yards into the woods.

The infant had reportedly been missing for nearly 24 hours.

His discovery on Tuesday, November 10, brought an extraordinary end to an urgent search that involved nearly 100 law enforcement officers and emergency personnel.

But the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have left investigators with serious questions.

A BABY VANISHES WHILE IN HIS FATHER’S CARE

The ordeal began on Monday, November 9, when Koah was reportedly in the care of his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer.

According to investigators, the infant had been staying with his paternal grandmother before arrangements were made for another caregiver to take over.

However, when the caregiver arrived, both Comer and Koah were missing.

Concerned family members contacted authorities, triggering an immediate search for the baby.

Deputies later went to a property associated with Comer’s family. They found the doors open and some of the baby’s belongings still inside, but there was no sign of the infant.

Investigators began reviewing surveillance footage and tracking Comer’s movements.

The priority was clear: find Koah before it was too late.

THE FATHER WAS ARRESTED — BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF KOAH

Later Monday night, authorities located Comer inside an outbuilding in the Batesburg-Leesville area.

He was taken into custody on initial charges of burglary and resisting arrest.

However, the arrest did not solve the biggest mystery.

Koah was still missing.

Investigators questioned Comer about the infant’s whereabouts, but authorities said they received little information that could immediately lead them to the child.

The search continued throughout the night and into Tuesday morning.

50 YARDS INTO THE WOODS, SEARCHERS DISCOVER SOMETHING UNUSUAL

Nearly 100 emergency personnel joined the operation, searching the surrounding property and nearby wooded areas.

Then came the breakthrough.

Approximately 50 yards into the woods, searchers noticed an area of freshly disturbed soil covered with pine straw.

Something appeared unusual about