BURIED ALIVE IN A DOG CRATE FOR 24 HOURS: 11-MONTH-OLD KOAH SHARPE FOUND CLINGING TO LIFE — MORE THAN 100 OFFICERS RACE TO SAVE HIM

A desperate search for a missing 11-month-old baby in South Carolina ended in an extraordinary rescue after authorities discovered the little boy buried alive inside a dog crate in a wooded area.

Baby Koah Sharpe had disappeared on Monday, November 9, 2026, after being taken by his father, 25-year-old Michael Comer.

What began as a missing-child investigation quickly developed into a massive emergency operation involving more than 100 law enforcement officers and emergency personnel from approximately a dozen agencies.

The search involved the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the FBI, ATF, local police departments and emergency response teams.

But nobody could have anticipated what rescuers would discover.

After nearly 24 hours underground, little Koah was found inside a wire dog crate, wrapped in a towel and buried approximately one foot beneath the ground.

He was still alive.

A BABY DISAPPEARS AFTER HIS FATHER LEAVES WITH HIM

According to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, Koah had been staying in the care of his grandmother when she needed to leave to run an errand.

She left the baby with his father, Michael Comer, while another caregiver was on the way.

However, when that caregiver arrived, both Comer and the baby were gone.

Authorities received reports of the missing infant on Monday afternoon and immediately began investigating.

Deputies later responded to a residence on Parthenon Road in Batesburg-Leesville, where they found the house empty, with both doors open and baby items still inside.

Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage showing Comer in the area later that afternoon, but the baby was nowhere to be seen.

A MASSIVE SEARCH OPERATION INVOLVING THE FBI AND SLED

As the hours passed, concern for Koah’s safety grew.

Authorities launched an extensive search across rural areas near Batesburg-Leesville.

More than 100 officers and emergency personnel from around 12 agencies joined the operation.

Among those involved were:

• Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
• South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Cayce Police Department
• West Columbia Police Department
• Batesburg-Leesville Police Department
• Lexington County Fire Service
• Lexington County EMS

Teams followed every available lead, examined surveillance footage and searched surrounding properties.

Meanwhile, Comer had already been arrested late Monday night after deputies found him hiding in an outbuilding in Batesburg-Leesville.

He was initially taken into custody on a burglary charge.

But Koah was not with him.

The discovery of the father without the missing child made the search even more urgent.

THE MOMENT RESCUERS HEARD A BABY CRYING UNDERGROUND

On Tuesday, November 10, search teams discovered something unusual in a wooded area near the home of Comer’s father.

The ground appeared freshly disturbed.

As officers began examining the area, they suddenly heard something that changed the entire operation.

A baby was crying.

The sound was coming from beneath the soil.

Rescuers immediately began digging, desperately trying to reach the infant as quickly as possible.

They eventually uncovered a wire dog crate buried underground.

Inside was little Koah, wrapped in a towel.

He had reportedly been buried for approximately 24 hours and was still alive.

Sheriff Jay Koon described the moment as one of the most emotional experiences of the entire investigation.

The baby was immediately handed over to emergency medical personnel and transported to hospital.

The sheriff later described Koah as being alive but clinging to life when rescuers found him.

HOW DID HE SURVIVE 24 HOURS UNDERGROUND?

One of the most extraordinary details emerged after the rescue.

According to Sheriff Koon, two factors may have helped keep the baby alive: the cool temperatures and an air pocket created by the towel wrapped around him inside the crate.

The small space may have allowed him to continue breathing while he remained trapped underground.

It was an incredibly dangerous situation, and authorities acknowledged just how close the infant had come to losing his life.

Medical professionals treated Koah at the hospital, where he remained under observation.

On Tuesday night, he was released and reunited with family members.

According to information provided by his medical team, he is expected to make a full recovery.

THE FATHER FACES ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES

Following the discovery, Michael Comer, 25, was charged with multiple offenses.

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the charges include:

• Attempted murder
• Unlawful conduct toward a child
• Custodial interference
• Burglary

Additional charges were also reported as the investigation developed.

Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the alleged actions.

Comer had previously pleaded guilty to domestic violence and aggravated breach-of-peace charges in October 2026 and had been sentenced to probation.

According to the Associated Press, relatives also said he had previously discussed taking Koah to New York because he did not want to remain in the same state as the child’s mother.

The criminal case remains subject to the legal process, and Comer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

A COMMUNITY BREATHES A SIGH OF RELIEF

The news that Koah had been found alive brought enormous relief to the community.

For nearly a full day, family members and rescuers had been desperately searching for an infant whose whereabouts were unknown.

The discovery of freshly disturbed soil and the sound of a baby’s cries ultimately led rescuers to him.

Sheriff Koon expressed gratitude to every agency and individual who contributed to the operation.

He also shared his hope that, because Koah was so young, he would not remember the terrifying experience as he grows older.

The baby is now back with family members and is expected to recover fully.

A MIRACLE THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Koah Sharpe is only 11 months old.

He should have been spending his days learning to stand, discovering the world around him and enjoying the simple moments of childhood.

Instead, he endured an ordeal that could have ended his life.

More than 100 first responders worked together, following every clue until they heard the tiny cry that led them to him.

That cry became the sound everyone had been desperately hoping to hear.

A missing baby was found. A life was saved. And a community that had feared the worst finally received the news it had been praying for.

WELCOME HOME, LITTLE KOAH. MAY YOUR FUTURE BE FILLED WITH LOVE, SAFETY AND HAPPINESS. ❤️