In the American state of South Carolina, rescuers pulled an 11-month-old boy from underground after he had spent nearly a day buried in a dog crate. According to police, the child was placed in this environment by his 25-year-old father, Michael Comer, who now faces an attempted murder charge. The baby, named Koa Sharp, was discovered on Tuesday in a wooded area on a neighbor's property; he was crying and covered in dirt, but soon after being pulled out, he stopped crying and was able to sit up on his own when lifted into the bed of a truck.
A Race Against Time
According to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon, dozens of rescuers and emergency personnel spent the day scouring the rural area in search of the sandy-haired boy. Freshly disturbed dirt and cries heard from beneath the surface proved to be the key clues. "As you can imagine, this was a race against time. Everyone was trying to get to him as quickly as possible," Koon said. He stated that at the time of rescue, Koa was "barely clinging to life," likely surviving thanks to the cool weather and an air pocket formed by a towel wrapped around the buried carrier.
Child's Condition and Medical Prognosis
After visiting the hospital, Sheriff Koon reported that doctors expect Koa to make a full recovery. Relatives noted that the boy is already trying to stand up and enjoys watching Mickey Mouse cartoons. The child's grandfather, John Comer, emphasized that he had never heard his grandson cry before: "He’s always been a happy-go-lucky kid, always has a smile on his face." Great-aunt Amber Hammond, who witnessed the rescue, said, "We have peace of mind now that we know Koa is safe."
Charges and Father's Legal History
Michael Comer has been in custody since Monday—the day Koa went missing—and was apprehended while hiding in a building in the town of Batesburg-Leesville. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the act, and it is not yet clear if the defendant has legal representation; a court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. According to Lexington County court records, Michael Comer was sentenced to probation in October after pleading guilty to domestic violence and disorderly conduct related to an incident in July; a weapons charge was dropped as part of a plea deal.
Circumstances of the Disappearance
According to officials, Koa was under the care of Michael Comer’s mother, who left the boy with her son while she ran errands in anticipation of another babysitter. "By the time the babysitter arrived, Michael was already gone, and he had taken Koa with him," Koon said. Security camera footage from several local establishments showed Michael Comer without the child as early as Monday afternoon. John Comer explained that he had taken his son and grandson in on Monday at their request, and he now believes his son "took advantage of the moment": "It looks like he had it all planned out and knew exactly what he was doing." Relatives also reported that Michael Comer had spoken of plans to take the child to New York, as he "did not want to be in the same state as the boy's mother." The sheriff added that Koa's parents had "certain difficulties," and children in such situations "are often caught in the middle of circumstances.
