11-month-old found crying beneath freshly disturbed ground; father charged with attempted murder
LEXINGTON – An 11-month-old boy was found alive Tuesday after allegedly being buried in a crate by his father in Lexington County, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
Koah Sharp was underground for approximately 24 hours before a search party located him in freshly disturbed ground near his grandfather’s home in Batesburg-Leesville.
Michael Comer, 25, was arrested Monday night and charged with attempted murder, unlawful conduct toward a child, custodial interference and burglary, according to arrest warrants.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said deputies were called around lunchtime Monday after Comer allegedly left with the child while he was in his care.
“Koah was in the care of Comer’s mother. She left Koah with Comer to run an errand while another caregiver was coming over,” Koon said. “When the caregiver got there, Comer was gone and Koah was with him.”
Deputies responded to a home on Parthenon Road in Batesburg-Leesville. Both doors were open, the house was empty and baby items were found inside.
Investigators later located security footage showing Comer in Batesburg-Leesville, but the child was not with him. Comer was found hiding in an outbuilding Monday night and arrested on the initial burglary charge. Koah was still missing.
More than 100 law enforcement officers and public safety personnel joined the search. Agencies assisting included the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, local police and fire departments, Lexington County EMS and Emergency Management.
According to Koon, searchers discovered freshly disturbed ground not far from the home. As they began searching the area, they heard Koah crying.
“As you can imagine, the race was on. Everyone was trying to get him out,” Koon said. “He immediately was placed in the care of EMS and transported to the hospital as soon as they got him out.”
Koah was released from the hospital Tuesday night and is now with family members. According to information provided to investigators by his medical team, he is expected to make a full recovery.
